Suspicious package found at Berkeley home where man was shot during police standoff

BERKELEY, Calif. -- University Avenue in Berkeley has reopened in both directions in the area of the 1700 block and the public is no longer asked to avoid the area, police said Sunday afternoon.

While officers are still at the scene investigating, residents in the area are now free to return home, according to police.

Police had earlier asked the public to avoid the 1700 block of University Avenue due to what was described as a suspicious package.

At the time, police said the package was believed to be connected with an earlier incident involving an officer-involved shooting that took place in the 1700 block of University Avenue.

One person was hospitalized in the wake of that shooting, according to police.

The case began around 6:50 a.m., police received a call about a woman screaming for help inside a residence on the 1700 block of University Avenue near McGee Avenue, police said.

Officers were dispatched to investigate what police described as a possible domestic violence incident, and Berkeley Fire Department paramedics and resources were positioned in a designated area, police said.

The officers made contact at the residence, and a person described as "the subject" allegedly made threats to shoot officers, leaving an apartment armed with a firearm, according to police.

Officers secured the area and began negotiating with the subject and working to ascertain the safety of any other occupants of the residence, police said.

The subject left the residence again, allegedly with a firearm, and an officer-involved shooting subsequently occurred, according to police.

One individual was transported to the hospital and is currently in critical condition, police said.

Per departmental protocol, the officer involved has been placed on paid administrative leave, police said.