Man in custody after hours-long standoff in Bankers Hill

SAN DIEGO (FOX 5/KUSI) -- San Diego police officers surrounded an apartment complex in the Bankers Hill neighborhood Tuesday after a man reportedly began threatening people in the building. The man has since been taken into custody, according to police.

Lt. Travis Easter with SDPD told FOX 5/KUSI the department received the initial call regarding the man shortly after 10:45 a.m. from the building at 2171 Front St.

Police said a man, described to be in his mid-20s, barricaded himself inside his first-floor apartment and refused to come out. The standoff ended without incident after officers deployed tear gas into the apartment and the suspect was taken into custody just before 5 p.m.

According to police, he had reportedly broken several windows earlier in the day. Broken glass could be seen on the sidewalk outside of the building.

Neighbors told police the man could be heard screaming and breaking glass.

When officers arrived to the scene, they said the man appeared to be having a mental breakdown and threatened to cut anyone who came near him.

Authorities evacuated residents who live near the man's apartment unit and cordoned off the nearby area.

Crisis negotiators worked to get the man out of his apartment by communicating with him by phone. Police said he had a list of demands, including talking to the chief of police and other members of the law enforcement community.

This is a developing story, with contribution by FOX 5/KUSI reporter Tony Shin. Check back for updates.