Anaheim : Man Flags Down Police, Then Shoots Himself
A 61-year-old Anaheim man flagged down a police car late Tuesday night, then shot himself once in the head before officers could stop him, authorities said Wednesday.
Charles F. Marquis, a Texas native who was married and possibly retired, according to police, hailed Police Officers Thomas Gilbert and Charles Alvarado in their patrol car at about 11:45 p.m. Marquis was sitting in his own car in front of a flower shop in the 1700 block of West Lincoln Avenue, Lt. Bill Wright said.
When the officers stopped and got out of their car, Marquis pulled a gun. Although he never pointed it at the police officers, they drew their weapons, as department procedure requires, Wright said.
“The officers were yelling at him to drop the weapon,” Wright said. But Marquis put the gun to his head, fired a single shot and died at the scene.
Wright said Marquis did not speak to the officers, and no motive for the suicide was known.
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
