Shooting suspect arrested after hourslong standoff in Amador County
A shooting suspect was arrested Friday after an hourslong standoff at a Pioneer home, the Amador County Sheriff’s Office said.
Kelly Sandefur, 61, was taken into custody after SWAT members entered his home in the 27000 block of Silver Drive, the sheriff’s office said.
The incident began around 10:35 a.m. when Sandefur’s neighbor called 911 and said that Sandefur threatened to shoot him with a revolver. The sheriff’s office said when the caller retreated inside his home, he heard six to seven gunshots come from Sandefur’s home.
Deputies and California Highway Patrol officers responded to the scene.
“From a safe distance, deputies made contact with (Sandefur) who was standing inside his residence in front of a sliding glass door. (Sandefur) refused to come out, stated he never fired any shots but then showed a revolver to the deputies,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement.
Deputies set up a perimeter around the home and evacuated a next-door neighbor. All other residents were asked to shelter in place.
After Sandefur ignored announcements made by deputies, SWAT and hostage negotiators were called to the scene in order to get him to surrender, the sheriff’s office said.
“Hostage negotiators continued in attempting to get (Sandefur) to surrender. During this time, (Sandefur) would stand in front of the sliding glass door and tell the deputies to go away,” the sheriff’s office said. “It appeared (Sandefur) was not armed while he stood in front of the glass door and one of the SWAT Team members could see the revolver inside on a chair.”
While trying to talk to Sandefur, three less-lethal bean bag rounds were fired into the glass door, shattering the door, while a flash-bang grenade was used outside the home. The sheriff’s office said SWAT members then entered the home and arrested Sandefur. He was taken into custody before 3 p.m.
Sandefur was booked into the Amador County Jail on charges related to making terrorist threats, negligent discharge of a gun and resisting arrest.