Man barricaded in Hermosa Beach home found dead after domestic violence incident
A domestic violence incident in Hermosa Beach, California, ended tragically on Sunday after a man barricaded himself inside a home and was later found dead by authorities.
The events began around 3:20 p.m. when police responded to a call about a family disturbance on 11th Street. According to the Hermosa Beach Police Department, officers arrived to find a woman and two children who had left the home after the man, who has not been identified, made verbal threats and was violent towards the victim.
“We believed he was armed, so we surrounded the house, made attempts to talk to him,” said Hermosa Beach Police Chief Paul LeBaron. “Those have been unsuccessful so far. About an hour after our initial response, a fire started inside the house.”
The fire broke out around 4:30 p.m., and firefighters worked to control the flames to prevent them from spreading to neighboring homes. Nearby residences were evacuated as a precaution.
After hours of standoff, at around 9:30 p.m., police officers and the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Special Enforcement Bureau made entry into the home in an attempt to take the suspect into custody. However, they found him dead inside. The cause of his death is unclear.
Throughout the incident, the family’s dog was rescued, and no injuries to officers or bystanders were reported.
An arson investigation will be conducted by the Los Angeles County Fire Department to determine the cause of the fire and the circumstances surrounding the man’s death.
Hermosa Beach Police Chief Paul LeBaron expressed concern for the families affected by the situation, acknowledging that it was Christmas Eve and families were being disrupted. He assured that authorities were doing everything possible to ensure the safety of the community.