SPRINGDALE -- An armed man surrendered to police after a five-hour standoff that including shooting his gun four times in his home while police were nearby, said Lt. Scott Lewis, police spokesman.
Gorge Velazquez, 24, walked out of his home at 2697 Cave Creek Lane at 2:02 p.m. Wednesday and was taken into custody. He didn't respond to police commands and was shocked with a stun gun, Lewis said. The name listed in a police report is George Velazquez.
The report describes a large response by Springdale police, an evacuation of several homes and "popping sounds" heard from the home. Police found a handgun in the home, Lewis said. Velazquez shot through the roof, according to a news release issued Wednesday evening.
Lewis wouldn't say how or whether Velasquez was injured when he surrendered to police. Fire Chief Mike Irwin said Velasquez had no major injuries.
Velazquez was handcuffed, strapped to a stretcher and loaded into an ambulance at 2:07 p.m. He was taken to the Veterans Health Care System of the Ozarks in Fayetteville, Irwin said.
The standoff started after Velazquez's sister called police at 9:50 a.m. to say her brother might be suicidal and home with a gun, Lewis said. Velazquez hadn't shown up to work, according to the report.
Police were unable to contact Velasquez at 10 a.m., Lewis said. By noon, nearby homes had been evacuated. Everyone in the neighborhood was asked by police to stay inside, said Jenny Swearingen, a member of the neighborhood homeowners' association.
Police used an armored car to take some residents away from their homes.
Evacuated residents sat on another neighbor's porch for hours and watched police work near Hidden Lake Street and Springbrook Avenue. The intersection is near the Cave Creek Lane home.
Police thought Velazquez read their text messages to him, but he didn't respond, Lewis said. The situation was life and death, Lewis said.
Police released little about Velazquez on Wednesday. Few neighbors knew him well.
Velazquez is a military veteran and may suffer Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, said Aleta Travis, a next door neighbor. He's been out of the military two months, according to the police report.
Lewis wouldn't answer questions about Velazquez's military service or mental condition Wednesday.
At least 10 marked police vehicles, more than five unmarked police vehicles, a police dog and SWAT team were positioned by 1 p.m. at a nearby intersection. More police vehicles were on other streets, neighbors said. The police report showed about 24 units went to the emergency.
Police snipers were on rooftops of homes, Travis and other neighbors said. Lewis said he didn't know about any snipers on rooftops.
The amount of police turnout for the emergency call was a normal response, Lewis said.
Police brought out a bullhorn about 2 p.m. and began talking to Velazquez and he came out of the house, Lewis said.
"He just basically stood," Lewis said.
Residents were allowed to return to their homes about 2:15 p.m.
Velazquez was cited in connection with disorderly conduct and drunken, insane and disorderly person, according to the news release.
Neighbors said the incident is worrisome. The community is usually quiet, Swearingen said.
"I'm just shocked," she said.
NW News on 07/30/2015