Fight at Vista independent living complex leads to 6-hour standoff

VISTA (CNS) - An argument between a 49-year-old man and his girlfriend inside an independent living complex unit in Vista Tuesday led to a six-hour barricade that ended with use of a San Diego County Sheriff's Department police dog.

The argument began about 10:10 a.m. at the complex at 2151 S. Santa Fe Ave., sheriff's Sgt. David LaDieu said.

The suspect, later identified as David Torres, tried to use a knife to attack his girlfriend, LaDieu said. The sheriff's department was called and arriving deputies managed to evacuate the girlfriend and everyone else in the complex.

Torres then allegedly threatened to shoot the deputies with his shotgun if they tried to enter his residence, LaDieu said. Deputies then tried to negotiate his surrender unsuccessfully. A warrant was issued to search the dwelling.

After six hours of failed negotiations, authorities made entry into the residence and served the search warrant. However, Torres refused to come out of his room, LaDieu said.

Authorities then sent in a police dog which helped take Torres into custody, LaDieu said. Torres suffered minor injuries from the dog and was taken to Tri-City Hospital for treatment. He was later arrested and booked into the Vista Detention Facility on charges of domestic violence, criminal threats and false imprisonment, LaDieu said.

Anyone with information on this incident was asked to call the Vista Patrol Station at 760-940-4551 or the sheriff's communication center at 858-565-5200. Tipsters can also call Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.