Jilted Boyfriend Goes On Killing Spree, Fatally Shot By Police
SAN JOSE (CBS SF) -- A 24-year-old San Jose man was killed by police Wednesday night after he fatally shot the parents of his former girlfriend, according to San Jose police.
Authorities confirmed that the family had a restraining order against the suspect. In the end, it did little to protect them.
"The suspect had been in a dating relationship with the victims adult daughter who was not home," San Jose Police Chief Eddie Garcia told reporters. "The relationship ended last year. The suspect had a history of domestic violence and there was an active criminal restraining order."
Garcia told reporters his agency received a call at 9:01 p.m. reporting a shooting at a home in 1000 block of Laura Valle Lane.
The incident had been called in by the 20-year-old son of Juniper Networks VP of Engineering Naren Prabhu. He said his father had just been shot in the doorway of the home.
"San Jose PD got a call from the adult son of the victims saying a suspect had shot his parents," Garcia said. "When officers arrived at the home on Laura Valle Lane they saw an adult man deceased in the front doorway suffering from at least one gunshot wound. Officers learned from the adult son that his mother and 13-year-old brother along with the suspect were still inside the house."
"In addition, the adult son thought his mom had been shot," the chief continued.
A standoff quickly developed with the suspect and a SWAT team was called in. Neighbors in the area bordered by Lincoln Ave., Nevada Ave. and Willow Glen Way were ordered to shelter in place.
"As officers were setting up contain and arrest teams, the suspect released the 13-year-old boy," Garcia said.
Negotiators arrived at the scene and began talking with the suspect.
It was determined that he was the ex-boyfriend of the parents' daughter -- Rachel Prabhu -- who was not home at the time.
"Unfortunately, the suspect refused to surrender," the chief said. "The suspect appeared at (a window at) one point and pointed a handgun at officers. In fear for the lives of fellow officers and victims that still may have been in the house, at least one round was fired by an officer striking the suspect."
Officers then went into the house and found the two deceased victims and the dead suspect, Garcia said. The mother has not been identified so far.
KPIX 5 has learned identity of the suspect was 24-year-old Mirza Tatlic.
At one point, Tatlic used the 13-year-old boy's cell phone to call his ex-girlfriend, who lives in another state. KPIX 5 also learned that Tatlic used the young teen as a human shield during the standoff.
The officer -- a 17-year veteran -- was placed on administration leave. No other injuries were reported and there were no other outstanding suspects.
The daughter's troubled relationship had played out for months on social media with increasingly ominous Instagram posts.
On April 25, the suspect wrote there would be quote: "No mercy on the ones that love you most."
Tatlic also posted a picture of his ex-girlfriend with the caption, "The devil smiles but the eyes sells the devil."
A final post showed a pack of cigarettes and the words, "Hope I get more than just one...the real Mirzat...sucks this cost me my lyf."
"We were dealing with someone who was mentally ill," said Garcia. "He had choices. He didn't give this family a choice. He didn't give my officer a choice."
San Jose police searched Tatlic's home in Campbell early Thursday morning.
Neighbors told KPIX 5 officers were called to the house often for family fights.
Tatlic was struggling to find work, and was often seen walking around without a shirt on and was described as troubled.
Neighbor Jay Mitchell said Tatlic seemed unusually sad or down on himself these past couple days.
"I wish I would've got to know him more. That's the big takeaway," said Mitchell.
Co-worker Shaijd Ashref described victim Prabhu as "nice" and "soft-spoken."
"He was a good person actually. A very good human being," said Ashref. "Today we came to know about the incident. It's very sad."
The co-worker said he had just seen the victim in the cafeteria Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Juniper Networks said it is focusing on its employees in helping them deal with the heart-breaking news.
The company released a brief statement, saying they were deeply "saddened by the recent loss of a long-time employee. We are focused on supporting our employees and their families through this difficult time."
The company says it will also be assisting authorities if needed.
When asked if he thought he could have helped him, Mitchell replied, "I don't know about that. But it's sad to see someone pass on like that."
The incident was the second domestic violence related fatal officer-involved shooting in San Jose in the last 24 hours.
On Tuesday night, a San Jose police officer responding to a domestic disturbance call fatally shot a suspect who charged at him with two knives.
The Santa Clara County District Attorney's Office and the San Jose Police Department's homicide unit will conduct a joint criminal investigation in both shootings.
Anyone with information about either shooting is asked to contact the San Jose Police Department's homicide unit at (408) 277-5283.
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