1. SWAT team called to resolve armed standoff in Sonoma County
2. Armed standoff in Sonoma County resolved by SWAT team.
Accident – Death – Obituary News :
(KRON) — In the early hours of Thursday morning, a tense situation unfolded in Sonoma as a SWAT team and hostage negotiators were called in to address an armed standoff with a barricaded individual. The incident was reported to the Sonoma Police Department at midnight, with the caller detailing a violent domestic situation occurring in the 1200 block of Broadway.
Police Response
Upon arrival, Sonoma PD deputies were met by the victim, who disclosed significant domestic violence allegations. The suspect, who shared a residence with the victim, became verbally resistant as deputies attempted to make contact. Subsequently, the suspect retreated behind a closed apartment door. In addition to the domestic violence charges, the suspect was reported to have been in possession of an AR-15 style rifle in recent days.
Collaborative Efforts
Deputies from the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office, both from the Sonoma Valley sub-station and the main office, were called in to support the situation. Despite attempts to communicate with the suspect over the phone, the individual continued to refuse to exit the apartment. Given the circumstances, including the alleged presence of a firearm and the refusal to cooperate, the incident was classified as an armed and barricaded situation.
Legal Actions
Following further investigations and interviews, arrest and search warrants were issued for the suspect, identified as 45-year-old Levar James Gilbert of Sonoma. Gilbert faced a range of charges, including felony domestic violence, possession of a firearm as a felon, making threats of a criminal nature, attempted murder, false imprisonment, and kidnapping.
SWAT Intervention
The Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office Special Operations Unit (SOU), which includes Hostage Negotiators (HNT) and a SWAT team, was deployed to the scene. Residents of the apartment complex were evacuated, and negotiations with Gilbert began. After several hours, the suspect surrendered without incident and was taken into custody at approximately 7:25 a.m.
Judicial Process
Levar James Gilbert was subsequently booked into the Sonoma County Main Adult Detention Facility, where he is currently being held on a bail amount of $1,250,000. The collaborative efforts of law enforcement agencies and the successful resolution of the standoff highlight the importance of swift and coordinated responses to such critical incidents.
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1. SWAT team armed standoff resolution Sonoma
2. Sonoma armed standoff SWAT team intervention.
