Gunman Commits Suicide on Freeway

REDLANDS — A gunman who forced the closure of the San Bernardino Freeway killed himself early Monday on the roadway after a futile attempt by authorities to talk him out of it.

David Thomas, 48, of Lake Elsinore, threatened to kill himself if authorities approached, then shot himself shortly before 1 a.m., said Lt. Cliff Johnston of the California Highway Patrol.

Thomas was pronounced dead at Loma Linda University Medical Center, Johnston said.

All eastbound and westbound lanes of the freeway 65 miles east of Los Angeles were shut down for four hours as law enforcement officers attempted to talk Thomas into surrendering his weapon, Johnston said.