Police Gunfire Ends Redwood City Standoff; Man Dies at Hospital

UPDATE: A dramatic standoff in Redwood City concluded in gunfire Tuesday afternoon, leading to the death of a man at a nearby hospital. The incident unfolded just after 2:30 p.m. when police responded to reports of a man discharging a firearm in the 200 block of Hazel Avenue.

Authorities report that the suspect, identified as 48-year-old Jose Reynaldo Lombera, fled the scene on foot after firing into a sidewalk. Officers quickly established a perimeter and deployed an unmanned aerial system to locate him, according to the Redwood City Police Department.

As officers approached Lombera, he reportedly retrieved and aimed a firearm at them. In response, a contact team fired both less-lethal and lethal munitions. Lombera was struck and subsequently subdued. Immediate medical assistance was provided, but he later died at a nearby hospital.

Local residents described the scene as chaotic, with sirens blaring and multiple gunshots ringing out. Witnesses told reporters that they observed someone being taken from the scene on a gurney, while streets were cordoned off for investigation.

The San Mateo County District Attorney’s Office is leading the investigation into the officer-involved shooting, collaborating with the San Mateo County Coroner’s Office and the Redwood City Police Department. Officials have confirmed that the officers involved in the incident have been placed on administrative leave.

This tragic event marks another incident of police use of force in Redwood City, an area that regularly undergoes independent reviews following officer-involved shootings. In a previous case in 2022, prosecutors opted not to file charges after a fatal shooting in the city.

Authorities urge anyone with information related to Tuesday’s incident to contact the Redwood City Police Department tip line at (650) 780-7110 or the DA’s office at (650) 363-4636. More information is expected to be released as the investigation unfolds.

As this story develops, community members are left reeling from the events of the afternoon, highlighting the urgent need for dialogue around public safety and police accountability in the area.