(EL PASO COUNTY, Colo.) — A suspect is in custody on assault charges after he allegedly attacked another man with a hammer and then barricaded himself inside a home east of Security-Widefield.
According to the El Paso County Sheriff’s Office (EPSO), deputies originally responded shortly before 2 p.m. on Thursday, Sept. 4, to a home in the 3800 block of Chia Drive, near Marksheffel and Drennan Road. EPSO said a person had texted 911 saying the suspect, identified as 44-year-old Thomas Barton, attacked him with a hammer and was trying to kill him.
When deputies arrived, they found the victim unconscious in the driveway. The victim later regained consciousness, and he was taken by deputies to be evaluated by medical personnel.
Deputies tried to make contact with Barton, but he refused to come out of the home. Because the incident occurred shortly after school dismissal, EPSO said a Peak Alert was issued, telling neighbors to shelter-in-place in order to protect children and school buses traveling through the neighborhood.
Once communication was established with Barton, EPSO said he surrendered peacefully and was booked into the El Paso County Jail on a charge of Second-Degree Assault.
Barton is currently being held on a $7,000 bond.
