Sunnyvale Man Attacks Wife, Holds Son, 3, Hostage: Police

SANTA CLARA COUNTY, CA — A Sunnyvale man remained in custody at a Santa Clara County jail Monday on no bail following his arrest Friday in an alleged domestic violence incident in which authorities say he held his 3-year-old son hostage. Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety officers first responded to the situation involving 39-year-old Riyad Bacchus at 12:55 p.m. Friday when his 34-year-old wife called 911 to report that her husband had attacked her and pointed a gun at her, Sunnyvale DPS Capt. Shawn Ahearn said in a news release.

The woman told dispatchers she was able to get out of the couple's apartment but that Bacchus was still inside the residence with their young son.

Officers arrived, surrounded the apartment and began evacuating residents from neighboring units, Ahearn said.

Crisis negotiators established contact with Bacchus.

A 45-minute standoff ensued until he agreed to surrender to authorities, at which time Bacchus exited the unit and handed his son to two officers, Ahearn said.

Officers then entered the apartment and found a loaded 9mm semi-automatic handgun, Ahearn said. Later, a a second handgun was reportedly recovered from the residence.

Bacchus was arrested and booked into jail on suspicion of charges including attempted murder, attempted kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon, sexual assault, child abuse, false imprisonment and domestic violence, Ahearn said.

His wife was taken by ambulance to a hospital for treatment of undisclosed injuries.

The couple's son was not injured in the incident, Ahearn said.

Bacchus was due to appear in court Tuesday.

Booking photo via Sunnyvale Department of Public Safety