Active Shooter situation in San Diego

A relentless shooter armed with a high-powered rifle terrorized a San Diego neighborhood Wednesday, opening fire on police officers and bringing air traffic to a halt before ultimately being taken into police custody.

SDPD officers were called to 2445 Brant Street in the Bankers Hill area just after 9 a.m. for a domestic violence call. A woman told SDPD she was not home when the suspect, identified by police as 33-year-old Titus Colbert, called her to say that he was inside the unit. 

When officers arrived, they say they immediately came under fire.

"The residents were telling us that it just nearly missed him," said San Diego Police Chief Shelley Zimmerman. "And officers who were setting up the perimeter were hearing rounds that were going right past them."

Images: Shots Fired in Bankers Hill

The threat to the community was so great San Diego Police shut down traffic on the ground and ordered residents to shelter in place. At the same time, The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a ground stop for arrivals into San Diego International Airport located less than two miles away.

"They were able to use a K-9 to try and clear the apartment. At some point when they were inside the apartment, rounds began to come out of a door, an interior door, nearly hitting the officers," SDPD Lt. Scott Wahl said.

Colbert was contained in a one-bedroom apartment on the southeast side of the apartment building, Wahl said. A standoff ensued for more than five hours, during which time they deployed gas on numerous occasions, until around 2:35 p.m. PST, when he surrendered to officials.

"We gave him, for a long time, very methodical instructions to make sure he throws the weapon outside that he does not come out with any weapons," Zimmerman said. "It did take several hours but eventually he did throw the weapons outside and he did peacefully surrender and he was taken into custody."

RAW: Gunfire Breaks out in San Diego

Colbert will be booked into County Jail on charges including attempted murder of a peace officer and possession of an assault rifle, according to a police statement.

According to court records, Colbert is a documented gang member with a criminal record.

When police entered the apartment after the standoff – in which  they said they found two weapons similar to AK-47s and another handgun.

"We know of two guns," said Zimmerman. "One was a hand gun, another one was what looked like to be an AK-47 type weapon. Once we are able to uncover the weapon during the investigation we'll be able to determine what type of weapon it was. Once we search the residence, we'll again, be able to determine if there's any other weapons inside."

Throughout the day, the suspect was firing random shots in the approach path used by pilots landing passenger aircraft at Lindbergh Field. It's "hard to speculate" how many rounds were fired, Wahl said, and police didn't have a precise count by 7 p.m.

There were no known injuries but officials say they have not yet searched nearby homes to check on the condition of residents.

As of 1 p.m., Wahl said negotiations were ongoing but they feel the threat to incoming aircraft has been minimized to the point that arrivals can resume.

By 2:27 p.m., an NBC 7 news crew witnessed an airplane landing at the airport in what appeared to be the first arrival since the shooting and standoff began more than five hours earlier.

Active gun fire. Residents near 2445 Brant St. Little Italy. Stay away from all windows until further notice and Shelter in place.

— San Diego PD (@SanDiegoPD) November 4, 2015

By 2:33 p.m., FAA spokesman Ian Gregor confirmed the ground stop had been lifted at the airport.

"However, there is a lot of built-up arrival demand so we will meter the flow of aircraft into the airport," Gregor said.

Moments later, police confirmed the suspect was in custody and the dangerours situation was finally over.

One resident told NBC 7 he left before the incident began just after 9 a.m. but has been in contact with his neighbors who are still inside the apartment building. They are scared and trying their best to stay away from windows. 

"I'm just on the other side of the border, they wont let me leave my apartment complex here," said Ryan Gray who lives at Laurel and Brant. "It's definitely dangerous, I'd say that the police are doing their job and keeping us all safe."

Gray provided NBC 7 video showing SWAT crews deploying a robot outside the apartment complex.

The official SDPD Twitter account advised residents nearby to shelter in place.

There was a ground stop for arriving flights at Lindbergh Field which is located 1.6 miles southwest of the incident location, according to San Diego International Airport spokesperson Rebecca Bloomfield.

FAA spokesman Ian Gregor told the Associated Press that the complex is under the airport's approach path. He said departures were being allowed.

Near Front and Laurel Street, an NBC 7 news crew arrived to cover the story at 9:30 a.m. and was immediately told to take cover as they heard multiple rounds of gunfire. Officers took cover behind patrol cars. The news crew stepped behind a building to take cover.

Curlew, Brant, Albatross, and Front Streets were closed between Laurel and W Ivy Streets during the lengthy incident, according to San Diego Police.

Washington Elementary School on State Street was on lockdown as a precaution, district officials. As of 1 p.m., district officials said school was ending for the day as part of a regular minimum day.

WATCH: Greg Bledsoe Reports from Scene of Shooting

The Museum School on Maple Street was also told to shelter in place, according to school officials. Faculty said all students on campus were safe.

Check back for updates on this developing story. Download the free NBC 7 app for updates.

Published at 9:56 AM PST on Nov 4, 2015

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