Man found dead inside home following hours-long Ramona standoff

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 Office, 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," sheriff's officials 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., authorities 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 authorities added there is no threat to the public.