Residents inside the building received emergency text alerts instructing them to shelter in place while authorities shut off water service to the property with no estimated timeline for restoration. One message sent to tenants stated that police and a task force were asking everyone to remain inside “until further notice,” while a subsequent alert confirmed the building’s water had been turned off as part of the ongoing operation.
San Diego Police Department confirmed that a SWAT standoff was underway after officers responded to a call early Tuesday morning from a woman who reported that a neighbor who allegedly assaulted her with a bat over the weekend had returned to the building. According to police, the suspect barricaded himself inside an apartment, prompting a large-scale tactical response and multiple street closures in the surrounding area.
The affected perimeter stretches from Third Avenue and J Street to Second Street and Island Avenue, with police urging the public to avoid the area. Aerial footage showed armored vehicles, dozens of officers, and federal law enforcement personnel positioned around the complex as negotiators attempted to make contact with the suspect.
Multiple residents inside J Street Flats described an overwhelming law enforcement presence, with some estimating that more than 100 officers from various agencies were on scene, including federal authorities. One resident told SanDiegoVille that the scale of the response appeared far beyond what would typically be expected for a simple assault investigation.
“There is every law enforcement agency here,” the resident said, adding that tenants were receiving limited information while remaining locked down inside their apartments.
SanDiegoVille has also received messages from tipsters claiming - without official confirmation - that the suspect may be on a federal watch list. Authorities have not confirmed any terrorism-related connection, and law enforcement has not publicly linked the standoff to any broader national security investigation at this time.
The standoff comes just one day after federal officials announced the arrest of four individuals charged with plotting coordinated bombing attacks across Southern California tied to an extremist group. That separate case involved alleged plans for New Year’s Eve attacks in Los Angeles and Orange County and was described by the FBI as a credible and imminent threat.
Law enforcement has not indicated that the J Street Flats incident is connected to those arrests, and officials have cautioned against speculation while the situation remains active.
In addition to shelter-in-place orders, residents were informed that water service to the entire building had been shut off during the operation. Property management indicated there is currently no estimate for when service will be restored.
“This is about safety,” one message to residents stated. “Your safety is very important to us.”
As of publication, police have not announced whether the suspect has been taken into custody, and negotiations were reportedly ongoing.
This is a developing situation. SanDiegoVille will continue to update this article as new information is confirmed by law enforcement or city officials.
Anyone with firsthand information or verified updates is encouraged to contact our newsroom by emailing Info@SanDiegoVille.com or sending a message to SanDiegoVille's Instagram page.
Originally published on December 16, 2025.
