A man was found dead inside a home in Santa Rosa after a standoff Sunday morning, the sheriff’s office said.
On Saturday, the Sonoma County Sheriff’s Office said they responded to a shooting in the 300 block of Cloverdale Heights Way in Cloverdale just before 5 p.m.
Sheriff’s officials reported deputies found the victim, who was suffering from a gunshot wound. The victim was later pronounced dead at the scene, according to authorities.
Officials said the suspect was identified as 56-year-old Lawrence Cassidy of Cloverdale. Cassidy had driven away in a white Ford SUV, according to authorities.
The sheriff’s office said that vehicle was later located in Healdsburg.
Sheriff’s officials informed that it was revealed that Cassidy had been driven from Healdsburg to a home in the 1500 block of Brush Creek Road in Santa Rosa.
On Sunday just before 1:30 a.m., the sheriff’s office SWAT Team, Hostage Negotiations Team and Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit were deployed to the home, according to authorities. The sheriff’s office added SWAT personnel took two people out of the home safely.
During the three-hour standoff, authorities reported multiple shots were fired from within the home, possibly striking the sheriff’s office armored vehicle. However, officials said no deputies were injured.
Chemical agents were deployed while the suspect was firing, according to the sheriff’s office. Despite many attempts to try to communicate with Cassidy, he did not respond and did not leave the home, the sheriff’s office said.
Authorities said a drone and a bomb-disposal robot equipped with a camera were used to view the interior of the home. Then, SWAT entered the home and found a man dead inside, officials reported.
The sheriff’s office did not clarify if that man was Cassidy.
Officials informed the Petaluma Police Department has taken over this investigation.
Source: NBC Bay Area