Pueblo Police have barricaded suspect in custody after threats to neighbors near elementary school
PUEBLO, Colo. (KRDO) - A standoff with police in Pueblo that lasted several hour and shut down a neighborhood right next to an elementary school, ended peacefully with the suspect in custody.
Pueblo Police say they were called out to Palmer Avenue, right next to the Columbian Elementary School in southwest Pueblo around 12:30 p.m. for a report of a man threatening people with a deadly weapon.
Bret Verna a witness to the entire ordeal, said he was stuck in the neighborhood all day and watched the entire standoff take shape.
"The SWAT showed up, their armored vehicle showed up, more officers showed up, they spread out." explained Verna on the rapidly growing scene throughout the afternoon.
Pueblo PD says they secured the perimeter of the school, allowing students to leave safely at the end of the school day. They then were able to fully focus on the suspect, 30-year-old, Samuel Mares.
Verna applauded police for the way they handled the standoff, lasting upwards of five and a hafl hours.
"The way they handled it for the 6 hours and trying to talk him through it, and talk him out of it was super compassionate. That's all I have to say. It's sad these things have to happen." said Verna.
Police could be heard talking over a loudspeaker to Mares, before deploying what sounded like an explosive to KRDO13 crews on scene before 6 p.m. Eventually law enforcement approached the home directly.
"They breached the front door of the armored vehicle, the men in the back, they breached the front door with a flash, and then they waited." said Verna.
Mares ultimately crawled out the front entrance, and surrendered.
Verna believes it ended in the best way possible, considering the situation.
"After they were done, it appeared that they carried out more weapons and pistols and stuff." added Verna.
Mares was arrested and charged with felony menacing, third-degree assault, and criminal mischief. His bond has not yet been set.
