An off-duty San Diego police officer was involved in a deadly fight with his brother, officials in Chula Vista confirmed.
Parents of the two men called 911 for help when the argument broke out at 8:22 a.m. Friday at the Parkwoods Condominium Association on Center Street, just next door to the Chula Vista Police Department.
When one son became violent toward the mother, investigators say the off-duty officer intervened to prevent his parents from being injured.
Homicide investigators say the off-duty officer was stabbed four times and found bleeding in the complex parking lot. The SDPD officer was rushed to UC San Diego Medical Center where he was said to be conscious and talking.
The officer's brother, who is considered the suspect, was found inside the family's home suffering from gunshot wounds. He did not survive his injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene, officials said.
"There was an argument. There's been some mental health history with the suspect. They were attempting to get him some help," CVPD Lt. Fritz Reber said.
The suspect armed himself with knives and stabbed the officer, police say. Reber said it's believed the off-duty officer shot his brother in self-defense.
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There is no word if the off-duty officer's service gun was used in the shooting.
Officers shut down Center Street as they collected evidence and removed the brother's body.
SDPD Chief Shelley Zimmerman told NBC 7 she went to visit the officer at the hospital Friday.
"He is recovering from stab wounds. It is a tragedy that this had to happen," Zimmerman said.
Family neighbor Robert Ledesma said he used to see the suspect walking his dog.
"I used to ask him about Padres and Chargers, and he was a pretty nice guy as far as I know," Ledesma said.
"Things like this shouldn't happen," he added.
