Police Stand Off With Heavily-Armed Soldier In Tacoma

A heavily-armed soldier held police at bay during a standoff in a south Tacoma neighborhood Tuesday, reported KIRO 7 Eyewitness News.

Police said the man inside the home had a number of weapons with him and officers were concerned the standoff could turn violent.

SWAT team members, including a sniper, moved into position to surround the home where an Iraq war veteran in his 30s was holed up.

“He did have a number of guns, definitely in the residence. It was a big concern,” said Tacoma Police Detective Gretchen Aguirre.

The incident began when police were called to the home to do a welfare check, but the man refused to let them in and said he had a lot of guns.

Investigators said the man may have been suicidal.

“We got a call from a friend that was concerned about him,” said Aguirre.

Police, concerned about the number of weapons in the house, closed off about half -dozen streets and surrounded the home while negotiating with the barricaded man.

The situation came to a peaceful end after the man surrendered.

It is not known if the man will face any criminal charges.