RAMONA, Calif. (KGTV) — An hours-long standoff ended after a man was found dead inside a Ramona home on Wednesday.
According to the San Diego County Sheriff's Department, the incident began just before 9:30 a.m. when deputies responded to a call for a welfare check of "a despondent man at a home in the 1400 block of Royal Vista Drive."
When they arrived, deputies contacted the man through an open window. "He did not respond; instead, the man retreated behind a closed door. That is when deputies heard what sounded like the racking of a weapon. Deputies quickly retreated to a safe location and called for backup," the department said.
While investigating, authorities learned a firearm was discharged several times inside the home the previous night.
"Out of an abundance of caution, deputies contacted nearby Hanson Elementary School, located in the 2500 block of Boundary Avenue, and requested the campus be evacuated."
Throughout the day, the department said deputies repeatedly tried to make contact with the man, but were unsuccessful. The Escondido Police Department's SWAT Team was also called to the scene for assistance.
Just before 6:30 p.m., the department said deputies and SWAT officers were able to make their way inside the home, finding the man unresponsive inside a closed-door closet. He was pronounced dead at the scene.
The investigation is ongoing, and the department added there is no threat to the public.
Be aware of increased law enforcement activity near the 1500 block of Royal Vista Drive in Ramona.@SDSheriff Deputies from the Ramona Sheriff's Substation and @EscondidoPolice are on scene due to a SWAT Standoff. The Sheriff's Crisis Negotiation Team (CNT) is also responding.… pic.twitter.com/mFyPAUkyYC
— San Diego Sheriff (@SDSheriff) September 3, 2025
This is a developing story. ABC 10News has sent a photojournalist to the area to gather more information.
