7-hour Linda standoff ends in negotiated surrender
A seven-hour standoff between an armed Linda man threatening to burn down his apartment complex and a SWAT team ended peacefully Sunday evening after crisis negotiators facilitated the man’s surrender.
The Yuba County Sheriff’s Office received a 911 call from a Linda resident in the 5800 block of Grove Avenue on Sunday afternoon reporting a neighbor – Marvin Wright, 66 – was bleeding from a pre-existing medical condition and was refusing assistance.
Medical personnel were sent to the location to assist Wright, but he reportedly refused help. Medical responders reported Wright was “despondent” and appeared to be emotionally disturbed, said Leslie Carbah, spokesperson for the sheriff’s office.
A deputy was called to the scene after Wright reportedly became hostile. He allegedly threatened the responding deputy and began pouring gasoline on the floor of his apartment, which is part of a four-plex.
Wright, who was armed with a large hunting knife, allegedly threatened to set the complex on fire before barricading himself inside his apartment, Carbah said.
The four-plex was evacuated. Yuba-sutter SWAT and a crisis negotiation team were called in, which resulted in the standoff.
After surrendering, Wright was transported to Rideout Regional Medical Center to be evaluated and treated. Carbah said Wright hasn’t been arrested, however charges may be filed after the District Attorney’s Office reviews the case. An update on his current medical condition was unavailable as of Monday evening.
“This was potentially a very dangerous situation that was resolved peacefully, without injury or property damage,” said Lt. Wendell Anderson, SWAT commander for the sheriff’s office. “A SWAT deployment was deemed necessary due to the volatility of the situation and the nature of the threat. Persistence and patience prevailed and no one was injured.”
Anderson credited the crises negotiation team for the successful surrender, as well as Linda fire personnel for their assistance in the response.