Officer fires at prowler sexually assaulting woman inside her home, California cops say

A prowler held a woman and her father hostage after breaking into their San Diego apartment early Saturday, April 9, California police said.

Demetrius Trussell, 40, dropped a handgun and surrendered after an officer shot at him through a window, San Diego police said in a news release.

He faces charges including burglary, kidnapping, false imprisonment with a hostage, negligent discharge of a firearm, possession of a stolen vehicle, indecent exposure, assault with the intent to commit a sex crime, sexual battery and assault with a deadly weapon, police said.

Police began looking for Trussell, who was seen driving a white minivan, after a report of an attempted break-in at 12:30 a.m. A nearby resident also reported an attempted break-in about 30 minutes later.

At 2:18 a.m., a 53-year-old woman reported Trussell had broken into her apartment, where she and her father had barricaded themselves in a bedroom, police said.

Trussell broke into the room and pulled a handgun, the release said. Outside, police arrived and found a white minivan that was stolen in a carjacking parked outside.

Hearing screams inside, police confronted Trussell, who dragged the woman into a bedroom, officers said. Her father escaped to a balcony, where an officer protected him.

Trussell sexually battered the woman and exposed himself, the release said. Trussell fired his handgun while police tried to negotiate with him, but did not hit anyone.

An officer on a nearby rooftop shot at Trussell with a rifle through a window, missing him, police said. Trussell dropped his gun and surrendered.

Police rescued the woman and took Trussell into custody, the release said.

They ask that anyone with information call 619-531 2293 or Crime Stoppers at 888-580-8477.

This story was originally published April 10, 2022 at 1:38 PM with the headline "Officer fires at prowler sexually assaulting woman inside her home, California cops say."