The man who held a San Diego SWAT team at bay for hours Wednesday has a history of erratic behavior, including tossing urine and frozen foods at his neighbors, the victims told NBC 7.
Scott Tadlock said he feels like he has been held hostage in his home all summer, ever since Christopher James Pearson, 49, moved into his Pacific Beach apartment in the 1300 block of Reed Avenue.
“He threw a bucket of old urine at my wife,” said Tadlock.
After observing Person, Tadlock had a sophisticated, multi-camera surveillance system installed to keep an eye on the man, who would be up at all hours of the night, hammering and hollering, his neighbors said.
One image from the cameras shows Pearson throwing frozen meat and vegetables at the family, Tadlock said. In another, the suspect is whipping the back of his truck with a leash.
Since moving into the complex in May, Pearson has accused the family of stealing water and electricity and of breaking into his apartment.
“He continuously thinks someone is breaking into his place all the time,” Tadlock said. “Even when he’s in there, he claims he sees them.”
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According to the neighbor, Pearson’s strange behavior was caught on surveillance camera Wednesday starting at about 7 a.m. It shows him looking for an imaginary intruder, Tadlock said, and attempting to screw the doors shut to trap the person inside.
He then showered his garage doors, the sides of the building and steps leading to his apartment with lighter fluid.
By the time he threatened to ignite it, witnesses had called 911. A SWAT team moved in while the suspect barricaded himself into his attic. He could be heard yelling threats at officers.
Eventually, at about 2:45 p.m., Pearson surrendered peacefully, using a tethered electric cord to climb down from his second-story window. Firefighters and a hostage negotiator told NBC 7 the incident was brought on by methamphetamine use.
Multiple neighbors, including Tadlock, have filed restraining orders against Pearson, and they fear that after his psychological hold expires in 72 hours, the suspect will return in the same state of mind – just as he has two times before.
