According to the Long Beach Independent Press-Telegram, a man claiming to be the "Zodiac" slayer who has bragged of seven murders was shot to death by a policeman Novemeber 21, 1969. He had threatened to cut his own daughter's throat. At the time, authorities said that they doubted 32 year-old David O. Martin was the man responsible for a series of fatal shootings and knife attacks in the San Francisco Bay Area during the past 11 months. Police said he did not resemble the Zodiac composite. "We can't discount it at this time," a police spokesman said. "We'll launch a thorough investigation.
Mrs. Martin and her son had ran from their home. Mrs. Martin screamed, "my husband is insane!" Martin was found sitting on the inside steps of his home with a knife to the throat of his 11 year-old daughter. He already had cut off her hair. Police surrounded Martin, who tried to run while holding onto his daughter. Police shot Martin, who fell on the landing, still holding onto the child. Police took the knife from Martin, who was now fatally wounded, and freed his daughter.
Martin said "Thank you, officers. I'm through. I'm Zodiac. That's me."
The girl was rushed to the hospital because of cuts on her neck. Police discovered foot-long knives sticking from the wall of Martin's home. Martin's wife said the suspect threatened to cut off her arm with a saw. Police believed Martin was under the infuence of drugs at the time of his death.
