Armed man barricaded inside Fairfax home prompts SWAT team response

SWAT officers Wednesday evening were trying to coax an armed and barricaded suspect out of a home in the Fairfax neighborhood, police sad.

The hours-long standoff began about 4:30 p.m., when police were called to the 600 block of North Edinburgh Avenue after reports of a man holding family members hostage and making threats, according to Los Angeles Police Sgt. Ed Villalta.

Early on, the man allowed a woman and a child to leave the home, Villalta said. It’s unclear whether other hostages remain inside.

As of 8:40 p.m., crisis negotiators were still trying to make contact with the man. Dozens of police officers, along with the FBI, swarmed the area as residents of two blocks — the 600 blocks of North Edinburgh and North Laurel avenues — were forced to evacuate.

“We’re just standing by, that’s the frustrating thing,” said neighbor Zigmund Gron, adding that he was in a crowd of about 50 to 60 neighbors and looky-loos. “We’re stuck.”

Gron said he heard what sounded like 20 to 30 shots around 11 p.m. He said he wasn’t sure if the sound came from police firing tear gas or gunfire.

On Tuesday, federal agents served a search warrant, which is under seal, at the same address. No one was arrested.

Last week, Gron said, a break-in was reported at the home. Police knocked on his door and told him to stay inside, he said.

alene.tchekmedyian@latimes.com

Twitter: @AleneTchek

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UPDATES:

11:35 p.m.: This article was updated with an interview with a neighbor.

11:05 p.m.: This article was updated with additional details.

This article was originally published at 8:55 p.m.