Sword-wielding man arrested after barricading self, family threatened
A sword-wielding man was taken into custody after threatening a family member and barricading himself for more than seven hours inside a Lake Elsinore home, authorities said.
John Kirby, 47, was taken into custody late Saturday on suspicion of assault with a deadly weapon and threatening a family member with a sword, according to Deputy Patty Stoyer of the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department.
Sheriff’s deputies responded at 2:01 p.m. to a report of an assault at Kirby’s home in the 800 block of Graham Avenue.
The family member was able to escape the home, but an elderly relative was still inside, Stoyer said.
Kirby reportedly refused to leave the home and allow the elderly relative to leave, prompting a lengthy standoff with police.
Members of the Riverside County Sheriff’s SWAT team were eventually able to safely escort the elderly relative from the home and take Kirby into custody, authorities said.
For breaking news in Los Angeles and throughout California, follow @VeronicaRochaLA. She can be reached at veronica.rocha@latimes.com.
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