Santa Rosa officers killed domestic violence suspect after hours-long standoff, police say

SANTA ROSA, Calif. -- Police in Santa Rosa who fatally shot a domestic violence suspect Wednesday night allege he approached them with a gun in his hand, the department said Thursday.

On Wednesday at about 10:12 p.m., officers responded to a residence in the 900 block of Keegan Drive in Santa Rosa. Police were told a man was armed with a gun and had allegedly committed domestic violence against his ex-girlfriend and the mother of his child, the department said.

MORE: Off-duty California sheriff's deputy kills mother of his children, then himself, police say

As officers arrived, three adults and an infant had safely left the residence. One woman, a 19-year-old mother of a two-month-old baby, had allegedly been pistol-whipped in the head by the suspect.

The suspect, a 20-year-old Santa Rosa resident, barricaded himself inside the home and allegedly refused instructions to peacefully surrender, according to police.

A SWAT and negotiations team arrived at the scene at about midnight and attempted to get the suspect to surrender peacefully. At 4:55 a.m., the suspect allegedly ran out of the house with a firearm in his hand in the direction of officers.

"Initial reports indicate that one SRPD SWAT officer fired at least one round at the suspect," said Santa Rosa police in a statement released Thursday. Officers immediately began providing medical aid to the suspect, who had sustained at least one gunshot wound."

By 4:57 a.m. the suspect was declared deceased.

Police have not released the names of the officers involved or the suspect.

"This is unusual and tragic; the YWCA grieves for families impacted by this loss," said Madeleine Keegan O'Connell, Chief Executive Officer for YWCA of Sonoma County.

RESOURCES: Get help with violence, assault and abuse at home

O'Connell says the YWCA offers resources and shelter to those experiencing domestic violence. It's been a tragic week for domestic violence-related incidents.

On Monday, an off-duty Sonoma County Sheriff's deputy shot and killed his ex-partner at her home and later took his own life.

"It may surprise your viewers to know, it's one in four women and one in seven men who will experience domestic violence once in their lifetime," O'Connell said.

Crisis hotlines and resources are available across the Bay Area for those experiencing domestic violence.

Since this was an officer-involved shooting, both the Sonoma County Sheriff's and District Attorney's offices will lead independent investigations into the shooting.