(PUEBLO COUNTY, Colo.) — A man has been arrested in Pueblo County after threats against deputies led to an hours-long standoff on Sunday, May 18.
According to the Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO), deputies originally responded around 5:30 p.m. on Sunday to a report of an armed suicidal man sitting in a car outside a home in the 700 block of Sandusky Drive on the north side of Pueblo West. When deputies arrived, they learned the man, identified as 50-year-old Jason Monett, had gone back inside the home.
PCSO said Monett was reported to have access to multiple weapons inside the home. Two other people were also inside the home. Deputies tried to talk to Monett and get him to come outside but her refused, instead threatening a shootout with deputies. The other two people inside the home were able to get out safely, PCSO said.
Deputies again tried to coerce Monett to come outside, and when he continued to refuse, deputies decided to de-escalate the matter and left the area.
About two hours later, Monett reportedly called the PCSO Communications Center and asked to speak with the lieutenant on duty. Monett told the lieutenant that he was in possession of guns and would be going out to look for the lieutenant to shoot him in the head. Monett also allegedly threatened to drive by the Pueblo West substation and start a shootout there.
Monett allegedly told the lieutenant that if deputies tried to pull him over, it would “be bad for them.”
Deputies learned that Monett drove by the Pueblo West substation several times before returning to his home. Due to Monett’s threats and the knowledge that he was armed, PCSO said SWAT crisis negotiators were called.
Courtesy: Pueblo County Sheriff’s Office
After hours of negotiating, Monett finally agreed to surrender and was taken into custody without incident. He was arrested on first degree assault charges due to the threats made, and was booked into the Pueblo County Jail.
After Monett’s arrest, deputies executed a search warrant on his home and car, and found 11 guns, including handguns, long guns, and rifles along with ammunition.
“It’s pretty scary when you have someone armed with guns, threatening to shoot at deputies, and then going out to look for them,” said Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero. “I’m super proud of my deputies and the lieutenant for how they handled this situation. The composure and professionalism they demonstrated under such tense circumstances is commendable. No one was injured, and all my deputies went home safely.”
