North Sound News

Police: Armed man making threats sparks Mount Vernon standoff

MOUNT VERNON, Wash. — Police were involved in a hours-long standoff with a man they say threatened people with a weapon during domestic dispute Saturday.

Officers were called to the 700 block of North First Street in Mount Vernon at 10:42 p.m. after a man brandished what the victim described as a "machine gun" at both herself and a boy.

The victim said the man had threatened to kill them and anyone else who arrived. Both occupants were able to flee the home before police arrived.

Mount Vernon police, Washington State Patrol, Skagit County Sheriff's Office deputies and Burlington police officers surrounded the home, and neighboring homes were evacuated as a precaution.

Crisis negotiators and SWAT officers were called to the scene, and officers tried to negotiate with the man for about three hours.

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When he refused to come out, officers entered the home and he was taken into custody.

The weapon that was used to threaten the victims was recovered, according to authorities.

The suspect, a 34-year-old Mount Vernon man, was booked into jail on possible charges of second-degree domestic violence assault and threats to kill – domestic violence.

Anyone with information that may aid the investigation is asked to call police dispatch at 360-428-3211 or Mount Vernon Police Department at 360-336-6271.