Ripon man kills himself as police arrive to home

RIPON -- A Ripon man apparently shot himself to death Thursday night as officers arrived at his home, authorities said.

Officers were called to a residence in the 200 block of South Acacia Avenue about 8:45 p.m. on a report of a suicidal man armed with a firearm, said Sgt. Steve Merchant of the Ripon Police Department.

When officers arrived, they heard gunshots.

Police secured the area and made repeated attempts to contact the 48-year-old man in the home. They brought in an armored rescue vehicle to get closer to the residence, and eventually determined the man inside was dead.

Police did not release the name of the man, pending notification of his family.