SWAT standoff underway after body found in Del Cerro apartment

A SWAT standoff was underway after a body was found inside of an apartment in Del Cerro on Wednesday, San Diego police said.

Initial reports indicate the person appeared to have been shot, police Sgt. David Rodriguez said.

“They set up a SWAT perimeter around it and they’re sending the drones in,” Rodriguez said around 5 p.m. “We’re trying to see if there’s a suspect inside because we do not know if it was a suicide or a homicide.”

The incident began around 3 p.m. after officers received a call from an employer saying that their employee had not come into work and that was unusual, Rodriguez said. Neighbors then said they had heard sounds of possible gunshots in an apartment building on College Avenue and Del Cerro Boulevard, Rodriguez said.

Officers responded and found a body inside the apartment, Rodriguez said.

Northbound College Avenue near Del Cerro Boulevard and Del Cerro Boulevard from College Avenue to Marne Avenue was closed due to police activity, San Diego police said in social media posts.

“Please avoid the area and use alternate routes,” officials said on X. “We appreciate your patience and cooperation while officers work to safely resolve the situation.”