UPDATE: A 34-year-old man was arrested on October 14, 2023, after allegedly threatening an 11-year-old child with a knife in La Mesa. The alarming incident occurred in an apartment off Comanche Drive, prompting a swift response from local police.
La Mesa Police received reports of a man wielding a knife, nearly striking the child. When officers arrived at the scene, Peter DePrince reportedly made veiled threats towards police, claiming he would shoot them from the balcony. Fortunately, both the child and an adult female managed to escape the apartment, stating they had seen DePrince arming himself just before leaving.
In a coordinated effort, the La Mesa Police Special Response Team and the San Diego Sheriff’s Emergency Negotiations Team were called in to manage the tense situation. Authorities evacuated surrounding apartments for safety.
After approximately three hours of negotiations, DePrince surrendered to police and exited the apartment unarmed at around 3:34 PM. He was taken into custody and faces serious charges including Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Felony Child Endangerment.
Following the ordeal, the child was checked at Rady Children’s Hospital, where it was confirmed that there were no major injuries and the child was not struck by the knife. The child is now safely in the care of a local family member.
This shocking incident highlights the pressing issues of child safety and community security. Local authorities urge anyone with information related to this case to come forward as investigations continue.
Stay tuned for further updates on this developing story as more details emerge.
