Barricaded Van Nuys Man Kills Himself

A barricaded man who shot at police when they surrounded his Van Nuys house was found dead of an apparently self-inflicted gunshot wound today after the city’s armored battering ram was used to crash into the residence to end a lengthy stand-off, authorities said.

The gunman, Gary Snyder, 45, was found dead about 6:30 a.m. in the home at 7500 block of Decelis Place. About three hours earlier, police used the tank-like ram vehicle, which is ordinarily used during raids on fortified drug houses, to hit the house several times, leaving all but one rear bedroom of the small house destroyed.

Police said Snyder was found under debris in the living room and appeared to have killed himself with a shotgun. Lt. Warren Knowles said it was unclear whether Snyder shot himself as the ram was hitting the house or before the vehicle was used.

Screaming for Help

Knowles said the incident began about 8:45 p.m. Wednesday when officers investigated a report that a woman had run from the home screaming for help but was chased down by Snyder and forced back inside.

Because neighbors told the officers that Snyder was known to have guns and had fired them in the house before, they used a patrol car’s loudspeaker to order everyone in the house to come out. Two women and a man came out but Snyder refused.

The Special Weapons and Tactics team was called to the scene and nearby homes were evacuated while streets were closed. After lengthy attempts to get Snyder to surrender, officers shot tear gas into the house. Police said Snyder then fired 10 shots but no one was struck.

At 3 a.m., the motorized battering ram ram struck the house, crashing completely through the living room area. The vehicle repeatedly backed up and struck again along the front of the house.