Man Points Gun at Several People in UTC, SDPD Says

A retired Army colonel was in custody Thursday on suspicion of threatening neighbors with a rifle outside his UTC condominium, then fighting with police while clad in a full dress uniform adorned with medals.

Gilbert Lafferty, 64, allegedly pointed the gun at several people about 4:30 p.m. Wednesday from a balcony at his residence in the 3500 block of Lebon Drive near Nobel Drive (just east of Interstate 5) because he was upset about a pool party planned for that evening, according to San Diego police.

A 911 caller alleged that Lafferty "racked" a round into the chamber of the weapon and told his neighbors there would be a "shootout" if they summoned law enforcement, SDPD Detective Gary Hassen said.

Officers equipped with helmets and shields surrounded the suspect's residence and tried in vain for about 45 minutes to contact him by telephone. About 5:30 p.m., Lafferty reappeared on his balcony in a full military uniform but refused orders to raise his arms over his head, according to police.

A short time later, the suspect opened his front door, and officers tackled him and took him into custody following a struggle, Hassen said.

Lafferty was taken to a county psychiatric hospital for an evaluation, according to Hassen. As of late this morning, he had not been booked on suspicion of any criminal charges, a jail clerk said.