Joe Darwish

Deadly force

Officers responded to a 911 report of a violent disturbance about 10:15 p.m. Three officers arrived and knocked on the door, but got no response. When they smelled what seemed to be smoke coming from the first-floor unit, they called San Diego firefighters for backup. They then forced open the door and were met by gunfire. Two officers were hit. Police returned fire. The man, Joe Darwish, was later found, dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.