Man, 35, arrested for discharging firearm in residence
A 35-year-old El Centro resident wanted for allegedly discharging a firearm in a local residence and making criminal threats Saturday night turned himself in to police shortly after the incident, the El Centro Police Department reported.
Barrett Tanner Trost is alleged to have been involved in an argument at about 9:10 p.m. Saturday at a residence in the 500 block of Sandalwood Drive, where he threatened to shoot an occupant of the home while holding a rifle, an ECPD press release stated.
At one point, Trost is alleged to have walked into a room within the residence and fired a shot into the ceiling before telling the residence’s occupants they were all “going to get it,” the press release stated.
Responding officers were able to observe several individuals exit the residence in question who subsequently provided further information alleging Trost had fired a shot, made threats, owned several firearms and had consumed alcohol throughout the day, the press release stated.
Officers on scene then requested assistance from the county Sheriff’s Office as well as the California Highway Patrol to establish a perimeter.
Off-duty personnel from the department’s K-9 Unit and a certified crisis negotiator were also called to the scene, the press release stated.
Once the perimeter was established, officers spent an hour making announcements over the PA requesting Trost exit the residence. A dispatcher was reportedly able to contact Trost via cellular phone and was told by Trost that he was not at the residence but nearby, before disconnecting the phone, the press release stated.
At 11:02 p.m., Trost entered the lobby of the Police Department and informed dispatchers of his presence, prompting officers to drive to the station and place Trost under arrest without incident, the press release stated.
Officers on scene conducted a safety check at the residence in the 500 block of Sandalwood and reportedly retrieved several firearms and confirmed one had been fired inside the residence, the press release stated. Trost allegedly told officers he had left the residence before a perimeter was completely established.
Trost was subsequently transported to the county jail where he was booked for making felony threats, brandishing a weapon and negligent discharge of a firearm, the press release stated. The El Centro Police Department expressed gratitude to the CHP and county Sheriff’s Office for their quick response and assistance with the incident.