PD: Domestic violence suspect kills 2 dogs, self after standoff in north Phoenix

Police say a domestic violence suspect involved in a standoff with Phoenix police killed two dogs before taking his own life Saturday afternoon.

The standoff started as a domestic dispute between the man and his ex-girlfriend. Police say the 31-year-old man assaulted the woman in his apartment, but the woman was able to get out and run away. As she ran away, the man reportedly grabbed a gun and fired several shots inside the apartment.

The woman was chased outside by the man, who then fired shots at the ground, according to Phoenix police.

Officers responded to reports of shots fired at the Vaseo apartments near 7th Street and Greenway Parkway around noon. When officers arrived at the scene, the man shot at police, striking one of the patrol vehicles several times.

Phoenix police Sgt. Tommy Thompson said no one was injured, and the man went back into the apartment. Special Assignment Unit officers responded and began negotiating with the suspect to surrender peacefully.

During the three-hour standoff, police say the man reportedly told negotiators that he wanted officers to shoot him. After three hours, SAU officers entered the apartment and found the suspect dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. Police say the man also had shot and killed two dogs in the apartment.

During the incident, Sgt. Thompson said no officers fired any rounds from their service weapons.

The suspect is not being identified at this time.