House Fire Turns Into Active Shooter Situation; Gunman's Mom Found Dead

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA/AP) — A man fatally shot his mother at the scene of a house fire early Tuesday morning, sending firefighters scrambling for cover behind their fire trucks, before holing himself up for two hours inside the burned home south of downtown Los Angeles, authorities said.

Fire Capt. Erik Scott told reporters that firefighters saw smoke billowing out of the windows of a two-story home before dawn Tuesday morning. He says they extinguished the flames and gunshots rang out about 15 minutes later.

Scott says firefighters had to "shield themselves behind their own apparatus."

Los Angeles police Sgt. Frank Preciado says the suspect -- identified by police as 28-year-old Jose Ramirez -- is believed to be the victim's son. He says the man retreated back into the house and was in a standoff with police for about two hours.

He says the suspect had a self-inflicted gunshot wound when he later surrendered to police. The suspect was in critical condition.

A large contingent of LAPD officers in protective gear responded to the home, and were seen using the fire truck as a shield. The scene was called an active shooter situation, and the LAPD was put on citywide tactical alert. The LAPD's SWAT team and a large response from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department also responded to the scene.

Redondo Beach Boulevard at Orchard Avenue, just west of the 110 Freeway, was closed during the incident, and neighbors were evacuated from the area.

Four adults and a child were displaced by the fire, and the American Red Cross was sent to assist them. No firefighters or police officers were injured.

(© Copyright 2018 CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)