SWAT standoff, domestic disturbance at daybreak

Early morning domestic dispute in the 400 North area of 2900 East requires St. George Police Department and SWAT team intervention, St. George, Utah, Aug. 11, 2012 | Photo by Brett Barrett, St. George News

ST. GEORGE – Residents of the 2900 East area of St. George awoke early Saturday morning to the sights and sounds of the St. George City Police SWAT department in action.

St. George Police were dispatched to a domestic dispute in the 400 north area of 2900 east around 5 a.m. Saturday.

“Apparently there was an argument among the multiple residents that escalated into an assault,” said Capt. James Van Fleet of the St. George Police Department. “It appears that one of the suspects produced a handgun and that possibly shots were fired.”

Van Fleet said the suspects refused entry to the responding officers so SWAT was called and set up to be able to respond to a possible armed barricade situation. “In unknown cases like this we respond prepared for the worst kind of situation,” he said, “and hope that it resolves for the best.

“Negotiators were called in around 5:45 and were able to establish communications with the suspects in the house. The suspects complied with the negotiators and police and were able to remove the suspects from the domicile, taking them into custody without any incident at around 7:30 a.m., ending the standoff.

At the time of this article no arrests had been made or charges filed pending further investigation.

Police cleared the streets around 8:30 a.m. but remain on scene as a warrant is procured for detectives to search the house for more evidence and any further potential threats.

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Copyright St. George News, SaintGeorgeUtah.com LLC, 2012, all rights reserved.

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13 Comments

  • DixieSon August 11, 2012 at 10:35 am

    I wanted to get my opinion in before people with other “perspectives” started throwing around phrases with “draconian response” or “jack booted” anything. I am glad that St. George has a response force with the manpower, equipment and training to respond to a serious threat. I am glad that this was not a serious incident . I am glad that the swat team got the chance to put training into action so they can be more prepared for the next time. It’s like the old military saying ” the more you sweat in training the less you bleed in combat”.

  • Murat August 11, 2012 at 10:52 am

    Shame on these fools for dressing like the military.

    • Mama August 11, 2012 at 2:53 pm

      You’re an idiot. And all of your comments are pointless and annoying. ST** already.

    • Not a Mormon August 11, 2012 at 4:25 pm

      No, I’m inclined to agree with Murat. They could wear all black or sanforized uniforms, but instead they look like posers. At least its nasty Army cammies.

    • Dghws August 11, 2012 at 8:37 pm

      With your extensive military carer, you are sure one to comment on this. Not sure what branch of the service you didn’t serve in but they are not dressed like the military. They are dressed like the SWAT unit they are. Maybe you could join Obama’s effort for the Civilian Security Force or National Police Force (like what Hitler had) and you can dress them however you want. Maybe bright orange jumpsuits…

  • Not a Mormon August 11, 2012 at 10:22 pm

    Good for you flexing your e-peen Dghws. Obviously I’ve never been in the military. Obviously you know everything because you’re a big, bad internet hero. I couldn’t possibly know what I’m talking about because my comments differ from your mindless suckling of the St. George Area Pride teat. They are wearing the disgusting Army-style digital cammies and fortunately not my beloved MARPAT. Perhaps its you who hasn’t been around these officers, up close, seeing their Patrol caps and army pattern camouflage. Or perhaps you have and are simply knee-jerking to my comments about the ‘nasty’ army (which it is, and that’s a really big Hooah).
    .
    I would dress them in traditional police SWAT uniforms, rather than attempting to make them appear like the Army. They are not active duty soldiers, nor are they operating as any sort of contingent of the Army. Therefore, they should not wear army-looking camouflage. It reeks of posing.
    .
    umadbro? yeah, umad

    • Dghws August 12, 2012 at 1:19 am

      No, not mad and no hero. Just have a differing opinion from the negative slurry that you and Murat spew constantly on this site. Just tired of being silent on the hate that you push. It doesn’t matter what I know and what my service has been. It has nothing to do with your rambling posts. Maybe you didn’t learn enough out at Paris Island because what has come out of MCRD isn’t you. Your DI would be embarrassed with how you have turned out. I do want to express that there are those out there that are thankful for LEO and all branches of service and the work that they do in making our home a better place. When you are in charge you can dress them anyway you want but they are doing a great job and their dress is totally appropriate for the work that they do. Some have served in the military and their bearing reflects that. Others serve honorably in the capacity that they now have and they also reflect their pride, their training, and their role in our community. Not sure what concern it is of yours how they dress but you can take it up with SGPD. I’m sure they would like to hear what you have to say in person.

      • Murat August 13, 2012 at 2:42 pm

        You should just take a chill pill. Getting all worked up over my posts will give you cancer. It’s proven science.

  • Markus August 12, 2012 at 12:29 am

    How much did this cost the taxpayers? Make the suspect pay the city back for all of the overtime.

  • Dan Lester August 12, 2012 at 2:52 pm

    I’ve not been in the military. I support the police and the military, and not just with my tax dollars. We live in the desert. If you’re going to be in what may be a combat situation with bad guys shooting at you from inside a dwelling (or anywhere else), desert camouflage only makes sense. The SWAT guys might well be lying in my xeriscaped front yard behind some rocks and the camo could be a lifesaver for them. Plain blue or black may make sense in an urban environment, but not here.

    Finally, these all have specialized SWAT training, and that is beyond routine military training, just as various military Special Forces have extra training in their duties. Some of them also have military training and experience. Getting into “who is copying who” or “who is best” is right up there with kids saying “my dad can beat your dad”. Grow up, y’all.

  • Not a Mormon August 12, 2012 at 5:22 pm

    Actually, Dan, an urban-style camouflage would be more appropriate than deserts or the Army’s green garbage, but your thought process is on track. Studies have been completed showing the ineffectiveness of the Army style camouflage in both desert and urban environments. That blue-green is unnatural except for some types of sage brush and one area of mountainous Afghanistan. I’ve seen the 222 on field exercises in the area here and their cammies are useless.
    .
    And SWAT training is above and beyond typical patrol officer training, but it is by no means ‘beyond routine military training.’ These guys may, and I use that word loosely, be as trained as an average infantryman, but I highly doubt that, although the ones who are military reservists or prior service are better than those who did not serve.

  • Jon Martin August 14, 2012 at 9:41 pm

    I think there needs to be a Citizens Review Board established to conduct Civilian’s Inquiries on matters such as use of aggressive force by the police. Including the use of this SWAT van. If there’s shots fired, deadly force, excessive force, who’s there to review it? If the police department is getting as big as it is, there needs to be checks and balances in place on our behalf, the citizen and accountability. You go to any major city, they have civilian review boards in use. It’s a must for such a rapidly growing city.

  • Switch hats August 15, 2012 at 6:41 am

    I don’t understand what all the drama is about…When the ambulance is called on a medical call they don’t get accused of over kill by bringing all of their gear and equipment. Half of the things they take into a medical call don’t get used! What about firemen sending all the engines they can to your house when it is on fire? You would want them to send ladder trucks and all the engines they could to put out your fire not just one engine!!! Why aren’t there any complaints about that? When there is someone shooting a gun I sure hope the police send all the tools they have to help out even if they don’t end up using them!!!

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