Standoff in Hayward Ends with Arrest of Armed Suspect

A tense standoff between Alameda County sheriff’s deputies and an armed suspect in Hayward came to an end after more than six hours on Wednesday morning. The incident, which began as a response to a court order violation, involved a 31-year-old man who wielded a pellet rifle and brandished what was initially believed to be a stick of dynamite.

Deputies were dispatched to a residence in the unincorporated Cherryland community on Meekland Avenue around 2:20 a.m. The suspect had violated a restraining order by approaching a woman who lived in the home. Upon arrival, the suspect confronted the deputies, brandishing a pellet rifle from inside the house.

Additional law enforcement units, including the Special Response Unit, Crisis Intervention Unit, and drone operators, were called in to assist. While communicating with the suspect, deputies noticed him brandishing an object resembling an 8 to 10-inch stick of dynamite and making bomb threats. However, it was later determined that the object was a makeshift apparatus designed to resemble dynamite.

Despite ongoing negotiations, the suspect refused to surrender and continued to pose a threat to the deputies. In an attempt to encourage his compliance, a “gas irritant” was deployed into the residence. Prior to this, some neighbors were evacuated, while others were advised to shelter in place.

During the standoff, a pit bull associated with the residence emerged from the yard and attacked a sheriff’s K-9 named Gambit. It remains unclear whether the suspect intentionally released the dog or if it escaped due to the gas irritant. The K-9 sustained puncture wounds and was promptly taken to a veterinary hospital for treatment. The pit bull was later returned to its owner, who was the person protected by the restraining order.

Eventually, the suspect exited the house to avoid the gas but barricaded himself in the side yard. He was apprehended at approximately 8:40 a.m. and subsequently transported to a hospital for medical clearance before being booked at Santa Rita Jail.

The suspect, facing charges of resisting an executive officer, possession of a destructive device, brandishing a replica gun, resisting a police officer, disobeying a domestic relations court order, and violating parole, is being held without bail.