Police search for suspect in California shootings

CHULA VISTA, California (CNN) -- Police said they are searching a high-rise apartment building for low-income senior citizens for a gunman who killed two people.

Police believe the suspect is a resident of the building.

"Both victims are in the lobby area near the hallway," said Lt. Gary Wedge of the Chula Vista police. The victims are a woman in her 50s and a man whose age has not been determined.

Shortly after gunfire started around 2 p.m. PDT, Wedge said, "I don't know whether they were residents or neighbors, flagged down a passing deputy sheriff, told him there were people down inside and shots had been fired," said Wedge.

Wedge said there was an altercation near the building before the shooting, but he did not have more information on the altercation or how it related to the shooting.

More officers responded and were fired on by the suspect. One of the officers suffered an injury to his hand, but was able to return fire. However, Wedge said they believed the suspect was not hit.

Police cordoned off the surrounding block and began searching the 17-story Congregational Towers.

"We're asking people in businesses and homes within the perimeter to stay inside," Wedge said.

Richard Freeman, senior pastor of the Community Congregational Church, which is affiliated with the building, said he heard the shots.

"I went out the door to see what was going on and the SWAT team told me to go back inside and take cover," he said.

Suspect in Memphis area shootings is firefighter, officials say
March 8, 2000
Suspect in custody after shooting spree kills 2, injures 3
March 1, 2000

Chula Vista Police Department

Note: Pages will open in a new browser window

External sites are not endorsed by CNN Interactive.