Man Arrested After Taking Children Hostage in Ashland Apartment Leading to Multi-Hour Standoff
ASHLAND, Ore. - Two children are safe, and a Central Point man is in jail today after Ashland Police Department (APD) responded to a call for a suicidal, potentially armed man taking children hostage in an Ashland apartment last night. The call came into ECSO Dispatch at 5:53 p.m. on Thursday, May 30 with information the man was holding two children, ages 4 and 7, hostage in an apartment in the 300 block of Engle Street in Ashland. After a nearly 7-hour standoff with police, the man is in the Jackson County Jail, and the children are safe.
APD lodged the suspect, Erik Macias, 36, of Central Point, on charges of felony fourth-degree domestic violence assault, domestic violence menacing, coercion, and driving while suspended. Macias also had two outstanding felony warrants including fourth-degree domestic violence assault, and driving under the influence of intoxications (DUII).
Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) SWAT and Crisis Negotiators Team (CNT) responded to assist APD just before 9 p.m. The SWAT team and APD surrounded the apartment while detectives applied for a search warrant. CNT made phone contact with the suspect and attempted to negotiate for approximately three hours. When negotiations failed, the SWAT team used a diversionary device (flash bang) outside the apartment along with JCSO K9 announcements, and made entry into the apartment. SWAT arrested the suspect without incidence, and rescued the children at 12:42 a.m. The children are safe and were returned to their mother.
This case is open and ongoing, with APD following additional leads. There is no further information available for release at this time.
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