Police kill gunman who shot 7 people at a pool in suspected racially motivated attack

San Diego police have shot and killed an armed man, responsible for the poolside attack on seven people at a luxury apartment complex on 30 April. Police confirmed that Peter Selis opened fire at the people at La Jolla Crossroads Apartments, killing one woman and injuring others.

According to ABC News, 911 dispatchers suspect the attack was racially motivated as Selis, a resident of the complex appeared to be shooting at black people. The victims included four African-American women, two African-American men and one Hispanic man.

San Diego Police Chief Shelly Zimmerman confirmed that the 49-year-old white man was killed after he turned his large calibre handgun at the first responders who arrived at the scene and opened fire.

"Our hearts go out to all the victims, their families and anyone who witnessed this tragic event," Zimmerman said but did not mention if the attack was a hate crime.

Several of the victims remained in critical condition, Zimmerman added.

KFMB-TV, the CBS affiliate in San Diego, quoted one eyewitness as saying he saw the suspect "sitting, drinking a beer in one hand with a gun out in the other".

"This was a truly horrific and disturbing act. We pray for the victims and thank our 1st responders. Our city rejects this senseless violence," San Diego Mayor Kevin Faulconer tweeted in response to the attack.