Lakeside SWAT Standoff Leads to School Lockdowns, Suspect in Custody and Injured

Updated 5:50 p.m., May 7.

A domestic violence suspect holed up in his East County home Monday when deputies tried to detain him, prompting a seven-hour SWAT standoff that ended after he stabbed himself repeatedly, authorities said.

The stalemate began shortly after 9:30 a.m., when patrol personnel went to the 12700 block of Lakeshore Drive in Lakeside on reports that a man had assaulted his wife and slashed tires on a parked car in the neighborhood, according to sheriff's officials.

Seeing the arriving deputies, the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Kenny Lee Walker, ran into his house and refused repeated orders to come out and surrender. About 10:30 a.m., a special-weapons and tactics team was called in to take up positions around the residence, Lt. Anthony Ray said.

During the ensuing standoff, Walker allegedly claimed to have a gun and threatened to open fire on deputies and shoot himself. His wife was able to get out of the home safely, and no one else was believed to be inside with the suspect.

Sheriff's personnel evacuated surrounding homes, and nearby Lindo Park Elementary School was placed on lockdown.

El Capitan High, about a half-mile to the north, went into a lower-level security mode called "secure campus," meaning classroom doors were locked but instruction went on as usual, said Catherine Martin, a spokeswoman for Grossmont Union High School District. That status was lifted at 1:15 p.m., she said.

Administrators at the primary school sent their pupils home about 2 p.m. Parents were asked to pick up their children alongside a gate at the rear of the campus, at Petite Lane and Lakeshore Drive.

As the stalemate wore on, Walker told crisis negotiators he was injured. About 4:30 p.m., a camera-equipped robotic device showed images of Walker lying on a couch in the home. Personnel with the SWAT team were able to take him into custody a short time later.

Medics took the suspect to Sharp Memorial Hospital for treatment of self- inflicted stab wounds to his chest. His condition and prognosis were not immediately available.

-City News Service contributed to this report

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