SAN DIEGO - An apparently distraught man fired a gun inside a North County apartment Tuesday afternoon, prompting authorities to put a nearby library and school on lockdown for several hours while deputies surrounded the residence and eventually took him into custody.

Deputies arriving in the neighborhood on a report of a suicidal person inside an apartment on Avalon Drive in Vista heard gunfire from inside the rental unit shortly after 1 p.m., sheriff's Lt. Scott Amos said.

Vista Library and Vista Magnet Middle School were put into lockdown status as a precaution while deputies, including several SWAT team members, tried to contact the man inside the apartment -- he was believed to be the sole occupant -- and determine his status.

Shortly after 4 p.m., a robot was sent into the apartment. The robot reportedly saw a gun and the suspect sitting in a chair, wounded with what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

SWAT personnel then entered the residence and took the man into custody. Paramedics treated him at the scene and then transported him to Palomar Medical Center. There is no word on his condition.