Stabbing Suspect in San Rafael hotel standoff found dead, I-580 Reopens

Stabbing suspect Peter James Thomas, 38, who barricaded himself in a hotel after firing a shot at the highway, was found dead in his room Thursday noon, according to the police.

Thomas died sometime overnight, police said. According to the officer, his death, which is confirmed through a special camera sent into his house, wasn't the result of any law-enforcement action during the daylong standoff at the Extended Stay Hotel at 1775 Francisco Blvd. E.

However, Thomas' girlfriend is safe and sound in his second-floor room along with no reported injuries, according to San Rafael police spokeswoman Margo Rohrbacher.

Thomas was suspected of being involved in a stabbing at United Markets in San Rafael, Sunday afternoon.

His death was related to the closure of Interstate 580 near the motel. The freeway between Sir Francis Drake Boulevard and Highway 101 was reopened at about 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

I-580 was shut down at 11 a.m. Wednesday as precaution for the gunman’s fired shot at the highway.

The freeway closure caused huge traffic jams throughout the bay area especially in during the evening rush-hour.

On Wednesday morning, after police tracked Thomas to the Extended Stay hotel where the standoff took place. Thomas had fired at least one shot, resulting in an evacuation of the hotel’s 46 guests and the California Highway Patrol closing the freeway.

“People see things on TV and it's wrapped up in an hour, she told reporters early Thursday before confirming the gunman's death. We all know that's not real life. Our ultimate goal is the public's safety, and that includes the people in that room as well as the people out here. And so we are going to respond appropriately, take our time and do this the best way possible.