A 46-year-old Doyle man was arrested on several felony counts Sunday after four hours of negotiations with the Lassen County Crisis Negotiations team broke down, and the Sheriff’s SWAT team was forced to deploy CS gas to drive him out of the trailer where he had barricaded himself.
The Sheriff’s Dispatch Center began receiving multiple 911 calls regarding an assault with a deadly weapon in Doyle shortly after 11:00a.m.
The suspect was identified by the Sheriff’s Office as Doyle resident David Garfield Jr.
“Garfield’s parents called 911 and reported that Garfield had armed himself with a baseball bat and was damaging their property. Deputies were dispatched to the call,” explains LCSO Sergeant Dustin Russell.
Dispatch received a 2nd 911 call from a person who stated their neighbor was being chased by a male armed with a shotgun. This was followed by two additional calls from neighbors reporting the same thing.
“All three neighbors called back a short time later to report they heard gunshots.”
At this point, according to Russell’s report, three LCSO units arrived on scene, as well as Officers from the California Highway Patrol. Deputies were notified that Garfield had chased his parents with a shotgun and had fired multiple shots.
He and his parents live on the same property, in different trailers, and he was behind a locked gate on the property.
Deputies were able to make contact with him from a distance. Garfield was ordered to surrender himself, but he refused.
Two members of the LCSO’s Crisis Negotiations Team were on scene and began negotiating with the man.
“Negotiations were good at times, bad at times, and the situation was not stable,” says Russell. “Garfield threatened to fight law enforcement. Garfield admitted he had a shotgun inside of his trailer, which was located behind where he was communicating with the deputies.”
Because of the situation’s volatility the LCSO SWAT Team was requested to respond.
“SWAT deployed with their Armored Rescue Vehicle. Negotiations continued while SWAT was responding. SWAT arrived and staged down the road as they heard from on scene deputies that negotiations were seemingly going well at the time.”
A short time later, deputies relayed that Garfield was highly agitated and communication had broken down again. He was walking back and forth from his gate to his trailer.
SWAT arrived on scene while negotiations continued.
“As SWAT arrived, the Lassen County Sheriff’s Office Drone Team was on scene and deployed a drone into the air. The Drone Team was able to communicate their observations with SWAT throughout the rest of the incident.”
“Garfield’s parents had reported Garfield had been up all-night drinking alcohol. Garfield continued to drink alcohol, while communicating with negotiators. CNT had been negotiating with Garfield for approximately 3 hours at this point. Garfield was unreasonable and it seemed unlikely Garfield was going to surrender himself.”
A tactical plan was made in an attempt to get between Garfield and his trailer where the shotgun was located. Before SWAT members could get in place, Garfield began running back to his trailer.
Less-lethal munitions were fired, striking Garfield in the mid-section, which caused him to stumble. He was able to make it into the trailer, where he armed himself with the shotgun.
“The ARV was moved up to the trailer to provide SWAT members cover and negotiations continued. Garfield refused to come out.”
Diversionary devices were utilized to deploy CS aerosol gas canisters into the trailer while negotiations continued.
“Garfield was given ample opportunity to surrender without further incident, but he continued to refuse to exit the trailer. An additional deployment of CS aerosol gas canisters were introduced into the trailer, while utilizing diversionary devices.”
Meanwhile, negotiations continued.
“After approximately 12 more minutes of negotiations, Garfield exited the trailer and was taken into custody without further incident. An ambulance had been staged in the area and immediately responded to treat Garfield for his injuries.”
“On scene, deputies located a 12-gauge shotgun, live 12-gauge shotgun shells and expended 12-gauge shotgun shells. Deputies also located evidence Garfield had shot the window out of his parent’s vehicle and vandalized their trailer with a baseball bat.”
Garfield was treated at Banner Lassen Medical Center for his injuries and transported to the Lassen County Jail where he was booked on two counts of assault with a firearm, assault with a deadly weapon (other than a firearm), felony vandalism, 2 counts of criminal threats, 2 counts of felony elder abuse, obstruction with violence and exhibiting a firearm in the presence of a peace officer.
“The Lassen County Sheriff’s Office would like to thank CHP for their quick response to assist our deputies. The Sheriff’s Office would also like to thank Doyle Fire Department and SEMSA ambulance service for standing by and ultimately responding to treat Garfield for his injuries.”
