Sword-Waving Man Gets Into Standoff In East County: Police

EL CAJON, CA — A man who allegedly swung a sword at people and threatened to shoot them Thursday at an El Cajon apartment complex was arrested following an hours-long police standoff.

Patrick Ross, 36, allegedly began waving the large bladed weapon around in a parking lot at the complex in the 1000 block of East Lexington Avenue shortly before 8 a.m., according to the El Cajon Police Department.

Ross soon walked off and entered a nearby apartment, only to come back outside a short time later and make threats to shoot people while "simulating" having a pistol in his waistband, ECPD Lt. Jeremiah Larson said. No gun was seen.

By the time patrol officers arrived, Ross had gone back inside, Larson said.

After the suspect refused repeated orders to exit the apartment and surrender, police called in crisis counselors and a SWAT team.

Following a roughly two-hour stalemate, Ross agreed to come outside and was arrested without further incident, the lieutenant said.

No injuries were reported.

Ross was expected to be booked into county jail on various felony charges, including issuing criminal threats.

— City News Service