SPOKANE COUNTY, Wash. — A man who threatened to kill his neighbor with a shotgun was arrested Monday after a four-hour armed standoff in which he pointed an AK-47 rifle at SWAT officers, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Jeremy S. Patterson, 46, was taken into custody at 6:15 p.m. without injury after deputies deployed chemical irritants to end the dangerous confrontation at his home near the intersection of North Kathy Drive and North Anna J Drive, sheriff’s officials said.
The incident began at 2:05 p.m. when Patterson’s neighbor reported that Patterson had threatened to kill him while armed with a shotgun, according to the sheriff’s office. The victim told deputies Patterson said, “Stay off my property line, or I’ll kill you,” before pointing the weapon toward him.
Neighbors reported hearing gunshots from Patterson’s home recently and expressed concern about his declining mental health, deputies said. When deputies attempted contact by phone, Patterson refused to exit, saying officers would need to enter his home to get him, according to the sheriff’s office.
Due to Patterson’s access to multiple firearms and threats to harm himself and others, SWAT and crisis negotiators responded, officials said.
At 5:45 p.m., after obtaining a search warrant, SWAT team members in a BearCat armored vehicle breached the rear door and saw Patterson pointing an AK-47-style rifle at them, according to the sheriff’s office. The rifle was later determined to be loaded.
According to deputies, chemical irritants were deployed and continued negotiations with Patterson, who appeared highly intoxicated, sheriff’s officials said. At 6:15 p.m., Patterson complied with commands and was safely arrested.
Investigators seized 14 firearms, including the loaded AK-47 and shotgun, according to the sheriff’s office.
Patterson was booked on multiple felony charges, including harassment with threats to kill and nine counts of second-degree assault.
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