Crime & Safety
'Barricaded Suspect' Call Turns Out To Be Empty Home: Deputies
Deputies believed they were dealing with a suspect who had barricaded himself inside his home. Turns out, the home was empty the whole time.
SPANAWAY, WA — A three-hour standoff in Spanaway ended abruptly Wednesday when law enforcement discovered the "suspect" they were dealing with wasn't there at all.
According to the Pierce County Sheriff's Department, an early morning search for a domestic violence suspect led them to a home 21600 block of 41st Ave E in Spanaway.
When they arrived, witnesses reportedly told deputies that the suspect was inside the home. Believing him inside but uncooperative, the sheriff's department called in a large response, including the SWAT team and negotiators. The public, meanwhile, was advised to avoid the area.
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However, after several hours with no changes, the sheriff's department says they determined the suspect was not at home after all and had likely left before deputies had even arrived. The SWAT team has been called from the scene, and say they're working on other leads to track the suspect down.
Scene is clear. SWAT determined the suspect is not in the house. When deputies first arrived, a witness said the suspect was still inside, so SWAT was requested. It now appears he left the house before deputies arrived. We'll track him down and make the arrest for DV assault.
— Pierce Co Sheriff (@PierceSheriff) March 31, 2021
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