South Lake Tahoe man arrested on multiple charges after hours-long standoff
Submitted by paula on Wed, 11/03/2021 - 10:33am
SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - A 30-year-old South Lake Tahoe man has been arrested on multiple charges after an hours-long standoff at a Fairway Avenue home.
On Tuesday, November 2, 2021, officers from the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (SLTPD) responded to Barton Memorial Hospital to see a domestic violence victim who was being treated for multiple injuries, including broken bones. The victim told SLTPF the abuse from her boyfriend started four days before. She said she'd been at a residence with the boyfriend, identified as James Sherfield-Morrison. She said he became intoxicated and violent and punched and strangled her. The victim said she left to stay at a local motel.
Then, on October 31, the two were together again at the Days Inn in South Lake Tahoe when he began drinking again. At this time, the woman said he became violent, again striking her and strangling her. She said after James passed out she was able to escape the motel.
James is currently on parole and has multiple prior contacts with the police department, according to SLTPFD Lt. Shannon Laney. He said those prior contacts include resisting an officer, assault with a deadly weapon, and domestic violence causing traumatic injury.
Laney said they were told that James had told family members he wasn't going back to prison. He was wearing a parole ankle monitor so they were able to trace him to a home on Fairway Avenue.
Officers responded to that location and attempted to contact James, but he refused to come out of the home.
Due to his violent history and possible access to weapons inside his residence, the South Lake Tahoe Police SWAT and Crisis Negotiation Team were activated.
While officers attempted to negotiate with James, he armed himself with what appeared to be a rifle and large knives. Laney said the suspect came outside numerous times and shot the rifle, then retreated back inside the residence. He also came outside numerous times and pointed the rifle at officers, in an apparent attempt to cause the officers to shoot him, added Laney. Because officers were safely behind the department’s armored vehicle, they were able to continue to attempt to negotiate with James for a peaceful resolution.
According to the police report, James was consuming alcohol during the incident and appeared to become more agitated. He was also armed with a baseball bat, large kitchen knives, and the rifle, each time coming outside and challenging the officers.
Officers made the decision to use gas to force James out of the house and to surrender. After a nearly three-hour standoff, James came out of the home. He received minor injuries and was taken into custody by SWAT officers and immediately treated for gas exposure.
As the crime scene was processed, officers found a .177 caliber air rifle, the gun they say was used to shoot at officers.
James was booked into the El Dorado County Jail for domestic violence causing traumatic injury, battery causing serious injuries, assault with a deadly weapon, resisting arrest, and parole violations. The current bail has been set at $75,000 plus the felony parole violation charge.
Anyone with information regarding this incident is asked to contact Detective John Spaeth at the South Lake Tahoe Police Department (530) 542-6100.
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