Domestic Violence Suspect Standoff At San Onofre State Beach

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — The northbound 5 freeway was at a dead stop early Wednesday after a domestic violence suspect led a police pursuit and subsequent standoff. Police closed both directions of the 5 freeway at Cristianitos Road before 6 a.m. as they negotiated with the suspect who ultimately tried to take his own life, police say.

"He refused to exit his BMW SUV before he shot himself in the head at around 6:15 a.m.," San Diego Police Officer Tony Martinez reported.

Police did not release the suspect's name or condition as of this report.

The all-night pursuit began late Tuesday with a domestic violence call in City Heights, Martinez says.

Patrol officers learned of a woman in her 20s who was found naked outside a City Heights residence. The woman, who was not identified, reported that her boyfriend had assaulted and strangled her, then fled the scene.

Police spotted the boyfriend's vehicle, a BMW SUV, and attempted to pull him over.

Instead, the suspect led police on a cross-county pursuit.

He headed northbound on I-15 near Interstate 8, then headed up I-5 through Oceanside, eventually stopping just north of San Onofre State Beach where the standoff took place, Martinez said.

The roadway was reopened by 8 a.m.