UPDATED 12:29 P.M.

A young man was shot and killed early Monday morning in what officers are saying appears to be a case of self-defense.

Sacramento Police Sgt. Matthew Young said that the incident occurred at the River Bridge Apartment Complex at 1025 University Ave. and involved three unidentified men and an armed private security guard.

“The incident occurred around 4 a.m.,” Young said. “The men jumped into their black Honda and drove straight at the guard who, in fear for his safety, pulled his gun.”

He said the guard fired one round into the car.

The one round hit 19-year-old driver who was quickly rushed to the UC Davis Medical Center, according to the CBS13 website. He was pronounced dead a short time later.

Young said that while police are continuing their investigation they have taken the two other men into custody, where charges are pending.

Freshman biology major and Yuba City resident Holly Smith said that safety should be at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

“First it was the shooting at Virginia Tech, then the threats in Yuba City and now a shooting right down the street from (Sacramento State)?when is this going to end,” Smith said. ” Should I be scared to go outside or come to school? I don’t mean to be dramatic?it just seems like a lot of scary things have happened lately.”

Young said that the early Monday morning shooting was an isolated incident and shouldn’t cause students to fear for their safety.

“This has nothing to do with Virginia Tech,” Young said. “This was an incident that took place off campus and was a response to fear (not anger). Students should feel safe here.”

Young said that Monday’s incident bumps the total number of homicides, that have occurred in Sacramento since January 1, 2007, up to around 15.

Sacramento Police and other authorities are on the scene as of this morning.

Ashley Evans and Philip Malan can be reached at [email protected]