A hostage situation in Chula Vista, California resulted in the death of the suspect, Perri Sammarco, who had held another homeless man, Justin Holley, hostage with a knife to his throat. The incident began when police received reports of the two homeless people setting up camp in an apartment stairwell, banging on doors, and possibly using drugs or dealing with mental illness.
When officers arrived, they found Sammarco holding Holley hostage with a knife to his throat. The suspect refused to cooperate with officers and threatened to kill the hostage. Negotiations with the suspect were unsuccessful, prompting a response team to climb through a balcony to enter an apartment next to the suspect. The responding canine officer, Alfonso Perdomo, fired his department-issued rifle at the suspect, striking him in the head, after he threatened to kill the hostage.
Despite receiving medical attention, Sammarco died from his injuries on February 6, 2023. Meanwhile, Holley was transported to a local hospital for treatment of injuries to his neck, but his condition was non-life-threatening.
