UPDATE: A man in La Mesa, California, has been arrested after allegedly threatening a child and police officers with a knife. The incident unfolded on Saturday afternoon, July 15, 2025, sparking an urgent response from law enforcement.
Around 3:34 PM, La Mesa Police received a report of a man, identified as 34-year-old Peter DePrince, swinging a knife and nearly striking an 11-year-old child in an apartment complex off Comanche Drive. Upon arrival, officers reported that DePrince made alarming threats to shoot them from his balcony, escalating the situation significantly.
As the scene developed, police evacuated nearby apartments to ensure the safety of residents. The child and an adult female managed to escape the apartment and informed authorities that DePrince had armed himself before they left.
In response to the escalating crisis, the La Mesa Police Special Response Team and the San Diego Sheriff’s Emergency Negotiations Team were deployed to assist. After approximately three hours of tense negotiations, DePrince exited the apartment unarmed and was taken into custody.
He now faces serious charges, including Assault with a Deadly Weapon and Felony Child Endangerment. Fortunately, the child was evaluated at Rady Children’s Hospital and found to be unharmed, now resting safely with a local family member.
This alarming incident underscores the pressing issues of safety in residential areas. The community remains on alert as local authorities continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding this event.
Stay tuned for further updates on the situation as it develops.
