A Westview man, upset over arguing with his girlfriend on his 24th birthday yesterday, fatally shot himself after holding off numerous police with gunfire, said a Baltimore County police spokeswoman. The man's name was not released.

Cpl. Vickie Warehime said that when police arrived at the man's home in the 6000 block of Harford Ave. about 7: 30 p.m. after the girlfriend reported hearing a shot over the phone they were fired on and took cover. She said the county SWAT team moved in later with shields and escorted their colleagues to safety.

About 12: 45 a.m., police entered the house after firing tear gas through windows and found the man dead in the basement. A suicide note was found near the front door, Warehime said.

Pub Date: 6/15/99