Man surrenders after eight-hour standoff with county SWAT team

By Diane Huber | The Olympian • Published August 24, 2008

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A Thurston County man surrendered to police after an eight-hour standoff in which he barricaded himself in his home near the Nisqually River Delta and refused to come out, according to the Thurston County Sheriff's Office.

The 45-year-old man walked out of his home in the 4400 block of John Luhr Road Northeast after members of the Thurston County SWAT team spent hours negotiating with him by phone and deployed several rounds of tear gas, said Sheriff's Lt. Chris Mealy. The man's identity has not been released.

The standoff began when neighbors called 9-1-1 at about 10:15 a.m. with reports of gunshots from the man's home, where he lives with family members. Police said they believe he was alone in the home during the standoff.

He fired at least three shots during the standoff, and there are bullet holes in the side of the house, Mealy said. Police also barricaded John Luhr Road at 46th Avenue Northeast, blocking some residents from returning to their homes. Other neighbors were asked to remain inside, Mealy said.

The man has several misdemeanor crimes on his record, Mealy said, but could not give specifics. During negotiations, the suspect gave no indication of plans to commit suicide, and his motivation was unclear, Mealy said.

"We don't know what set him off," he said.

Olympian reporter Diane Huber can be reached at 360-357-0204 or dhuber@theolympian.com.