GREENACRES, Wash. — A 69-year-old man who threatened to shoot his neighbors with a pistol was arrested Wednesday after an hour-long standoff, according to the Spokane County Sheriff’s Office.
Bruce A. Mathews was booked into Spokane County Jail on felony harassment and misdemeanor intimidation charges after the incident in the 1900 block of North Greenacres Road, deputies said.
The confrontation began around 12:05 p.m. when deputies responded to reports of an armed suspect. Two victims were doing yard work when Mathews began yelling at them, according to police reports.
“I’ll put a bullet right in your (expletive) head!” Mathews yelled before going inside and returning with a black semiautomatic pistol, according to the victims’ statements to deputies.
The victims took cover and called 911, police said. Law enforcement deployed SWAT team members, crisis negotiators and other resources. Deputies used public address announcements commanding Mathews to surrender.
At 1:10 p.m., Mathews exited his home and was arrested without incident, according to the sheriff’s office. Deputies suspected intoxication based on his unsteady movement and slurred speech, police reports stated.
Mathews denied the altercation and being armed, even when confronted with video evidence, deputies said. Using a search warrant, deputies seized five firearms from his home, most fully loaded, according to the sheriff’s office.
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