Standoff ends peacefully

Mark R. Madler

A 12-hour standoff between police and two suspects in an

early-morning shooting ended without incident Tuesday in the rear

office of a sports bar.

Javier Leal and Gloria Contreras were arrested after officers from

the Burbank Police Special Response Team and the Glendale Police SWAT

team forced their way into the office of the Golden Pitcher sports

bar and restaurant, 3236 N. San Fernando Blvd.

“There was a belief he was back there, but they were never 100%

positive,” said Burbank Police Sgt. Jay Jette. “Rather than force the

situation, we were patient.”

Leal, 40, of Sylmar, was arrested on suspicion of attempted

murder, and Contreras, 27, was arrested for assault with a deadly

weapon in connection with the shooting of a 36-year-old North

Hollywood man, Jette said.

The victim had been shot at about 2 a.m. at the bar, located in a

primarily industrial and commercial area. The victim left the bar

after the shooting and was later found by Los Angeles Police, Jette

said.

The man was taken to an area hospital where he was treated for a

minor gunshot wound to the torso and released, Jette added.

Police arrived at the bar an hour after the shooting and believed

the alleged shooter was still in the area. Police closed off a

four-block stretch of San Fernando from Ontario Street to Hollywood

Way.

Many businesses in the area were open because police believed the

suspect remained in a specific area, Jette said.

“Every type of communication available was tried,” he added.

At about 2:40 p.m., a group of about seven black-clad officers

approached the front of the bar and used a battering ram on the door

to gain access to the building.

The pair were placed into the back of a Burbank Police squad car

and rushed away from the scene about 10 minutes after their arrests.

It was not immediately known if a weapon had been found.

The pair are being held at Burbank City Jail, Leal in lieu of

$1-million bail and Contreras in lieu of $30,000 bail.

Leal was believed to be an employee of the bar, Jette said.