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SALT LAKE CITY— Police and SWAT were in a standoff for several hours with a man who barricaded himself in a home after pointing his gun at people in a Maverik station Tuesday.
The two women and four children occupying the home were safely evacuated, leaving the 30-year-old man inside.
"There were two women and four or five children that were inside the house, and we thought at first we had a hostage situation, but the women and the children were all able to come outside the house," said Salt Lake Police Sgt. Robin Heiden.
After negotiating back and forth several times for about an hour and a half the police introduced an agent similar to pepper spray into the house, Heiden said. He then immediately came out and surrendered to officers.
Police said they believe that the man knew the people who live in the house.
Officers cordoned off 300 South between 10th and 11th West, as they and the SWAT team tried to talk the man out safely. Officials said they didn't know if he was still armed, but they weren't taking chances.
"We do know he committed a violent act by pointing a gun at people," Heiden said.
The situation started around 5 p.m. at the Maverik on 400 S and Redwood Road. The man flashed his weapon before getting into his car and continuing to wave his gun around as he drove Eastbound on 400 South. A police officer followed the man until he jumped out of the car and ran into the home.
No shots were fired in connection with the incident.
