EVERETT — A gunman who reportedly opened fire at police Wednesday afternoon in south Everett, leading to a standoff that lasted hours.
Everett police responded to a report of an “unlawful discharge” of a weapon at a home in the early afternoon in the 11100 block of Paine Field Way, Everett police Sgt. Kyle Coleman said.
One witness shared video with The Daily Herald, showing an armed man in a gray hoodie just outside the home. The gunman turned to the camera and fired a single gunshot at a window where the witness was filming. It didn’t appear anyone had been hit.
Officers arrived at the scene to find the man outside. The gunman fired at least one round at officers, Coleman said. Officers reportedly returned fire, and the man retreated into the home.
“It’s still ongoing,” Coleman said minutes later.
There were no reports of officers injured. Police had called for SWAT teams, several armored vehicles and backup from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office by 2 p.m.
As of 2:40 p.m., the man appeared to still be inside the home, police said.
“It’s very dynamic, still being worked,” Coleman said.
Fire engines and patrol cars lined the streets for blocks. A drone circled overhead. Armed deputies blocked off Paine Field Way. Officers pulled on tactical gear near the road closures.
The alleged shooter’s father, Christian Reyes, stood outside on 112th Street SW. He said he tried to convince officers to let him talk to his son and bring the suspect outside. Law enforcement reportedly didn’t respond to his requests.
“All I need is my son alive. I’m the solution,” Reyes told the Herald. “They don’t give a (expletive) about me, about his life.”
Reyes said he was the only person his son trusts. Bringing law enforcement in, he said, would only result in the death of his son.
According to the father, the son’s mother called the police in the morning, reporting the man in his early 20s was “armed and dangerous.”
“He won’t talk to anybody else, he won’t listen to anybody else,” Reyes said. “If I have to give my life for his, I will (expletive) do it right here, right now, no doubt about it.”
The neighborhood is near Everett city limits.
Some neighbors were advised to “shelter in place.” Police were checking if any neighbors needed to be evacuated as of 3 p.m.
Authorities knocked down a fence at 112th Street SW, allowing at least a dozen fleeing residents to load onto an Everett Transit bus.
On Holly, a teenager in a car said he had to wait about 30 minutes to get back into the neighborhood. Other teens with backpacks were also making their way from school, to find residents standing outside, looking at their phones, trying to figure out what was going on.
Police reportedly secured a warrant to enter the home as of 4 p.m.
Officers continued to make announcements over a megaphone, ordering the man to surrender.
The standoff continued as of 7 p.m. Wednesday.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Caleb Hutton: 425-339-3454; chutton@heraldnet.com. Twitter: @snocaleb.
Maya Tizon: 425-339-3434; maya.tizon@heraldnet.com; Twitter: @mayatizon.
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