Man Commits Suicide in Front of Costa Mesa Police Officer

Photo by robertnelson via Flickr

A 50-year-old man committed suicide while in the custody of a Costa Mesa police officer on Monday.

While patrolling Fairview Park yesterday afternoon, the officer spotted the man seated in the driver's seat of a 1990 Honda sedan. The driver's record indicated an outstanding traffic warrant, and the officer detained him outside of the vehicle, reports OC Register. After speaking with the officer, the man "abruptly got into the passenger seat and picked up a handgun." The officer fired one shot in defense that did not strike the man. The man proceeded to shoot himself.

Police received a tip months ago that the man, whose name is not being released, left a suicide note threatening to shoot himself in the park. Officers were unable to locate him since he was without address - the man was living out of his car.

The Costa Mesa Police Department along with the Orange County Coroner's Office are investigating the shooting. Police have declined to provide substantial details on the incident.

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