The Region : Anaheim Man Shoots Self in Standoff

An Anaheim man was in critical condition after he barricaded himself in his apartment, held police at bay for almost six hours and shot himself in the chest. Neighbors summoned Anaheim police to 944 S. Gilbuck St. about 7 a.m. Wednesday, after they heard gunshots coming from the building. Gordon Michael Hamer, 26, was barricaded inside an apartment, said Sgt. Jack Jansen. A back-up force of 15 officers was called and the house and those adjacent to it were evacuated, Jansen said. Crisis intervention officer Cheryl Murphy telephoned Hamer and tried for about two hours to persuade him to give himself up. At 11:57 a.m., after another shot was heard, officers broke into the apartment and found Hamer with a gunshot wound in the chest. He was taken to UCI Medical Center, Orange, where he underwent surgery. Hamer has a history of being emotionally disturbed, Jansen said.