Suspect in custody after lengthy standoff
VANCOUVER, Wash. (AP) - A 20-hour standoff with a gunman who wounded a police officer and a hostage ended early Thursday morning with the man's arrest after police used tear gas to help subdue him.
Matthew Hastings, 28, was being held at the Clark County Jail on outstanding warrants. Other charges were pending, according to Vancouver Police spokeswoman Kim Kapp.
Four SWAT teams rotated during the standoff, and at 3:30 a.m. officers decided to make their move and filled the home with tear gas after a pre-set charge blew open a window, Kapp said.
While several residents reported a loud boom and popping sounds, it was not immediately known if any gunshots were fired in the early morning operation, Kapp said.
The standoff started at 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, when police in this city just north of Portland went to a house to serve an arrest warrant on Hastings, who has a record of convictions dating back to 1998.
The woman who rents the house, 49-year-old Kim Runyon, came out and confirmed to police that Hastings was inside. But Hastings kept Runyon's son, Shane, as a hostage for almost 12 hours.
Police Cpl. Chris LeBlanc, who joined the force in 1997, was shot under the arm 2½ hours into the standoff. He was listed in serious condition at Southwest Washington Medical Center, and surgery to remove the bullet was scheduled for Thursday.
Shane Runyon, 33, was shot once in the abdomen, Vancouver police Officer Steve Capellas said, adding that Runyon was alert and talking on his way to the hospital after getting released from the house at 7 p.m. It's not clear when Runyon got hurt, or if he was shot by Hastings or police.
Hastings was armed with a shotgun and a .45-caliber handgun, police said.
Hastings was wanted on accusations that he jumped bail and failed to check in with his community corrections officer. In January, he was charged with marijuana possession, theft of a firearm, sale or manufacture of a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Residents in the area were told to stay inside during the standoff. Several streets were closed and 11 homes were evacuated, police said.
Following the end of the standoff, police kept the street closed and officers looked for evidence. Local residents were allowed back to their homes but were escorted to their doors by police and told to stay off the streets.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
Matthew Hastings, 28, was being held at the Clark County Jail on outstanding warrants. Other charges were pending, according to Vancouver Police spokeswoman Kim Kapp.
Four SWAT teams rotated during the standoff, and at 3:30 a.m. officers decided to make their move and filled the home with tear gas after a pre-set charge blew open a window, Kapp said.
While several residents reported a loud boom and popping sounds, it was not immediately known if any gunshots were fired in the early morning operation, Kapp said.
The standoff started at 7:20 a.m. Wednesday, when police in this city just north of Portland went to a house to serve an arrest warrant on Hastings, who has a record of convictions dating back to 1998.
The woman who rents the house, 49-year-old Kim Runyon, came out and confirmed to police that Hastings was inside. But Hastings kept Runyon's son, Shane, as a hostage for almost 12 hours.
Police Cpl. Chris LeBlanc, who joined the force in 1997, was shot under the arm 2½ hours into the standoff. He was listed in serious condition at Southwest Washington Medical Center, and surgery to remove the bullet was scheduled for Thursday.
Shane Runyon, 33, was shot once in the abdomen, Vancouver police Officer Steve Capellas said, adding that Runyon was alert and talking on his way to the hospital after getting released from the house at 7 p.m. It's not clear when Runyon got hurt, or if he was shot by Hastings or police.
Hastings was armed with a shotgun and a .45-caliber handgun, police said.
Hastings was wanted on accusations that he jumped bail and failed to check in with his community corrections officer. In January, he was charged with marijuana possession, theft of a firearm, sale or manufacture of a dangerous weapon and unlawful possession of a firearm.
Residents in the area were told to stay inside during the standoff. Several streets were closed and 11 homes were evacuated, police said.
Following the end of the standoff, police kept the street closed and officers looked for evidence. Local residents were allowed back to their homes but were escorted to their doors by police and told to stay off the streets.
(Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
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