SPOKANE, Wash. — A 32-year-old man is in custody after allegedly holding two people against their will during a standoff with police in northeast Spokane Thursday evening.
John C. Palmer was arrested on domestic violence charges and a Department of Corrections warrant for escape from community custody. His original charge was first-degree assault with a deadly weapon.
According to the Spokane Police Department (SPD), officers responded around 5:40 p.m. on April 25 after a concerned relative reported Palmer was making threats to kill the victim and destroy her property.
Officers initially struggled to make contact with anyone inside the home. When they did establish communication, Palmer revealed he had two people inside and was planning to harm them.
According to SPD, after multiple attempts to resolve the situation peacefully, officers forced entry into the home to rescue the two victims.
Both victims were treated by medics at the scene and released. One officer sustained a minor injury during the operation.
Palmer was booked into the Spokane County Jail on his warrant and new charges of second-degree assault, domestic violence, and first-degree kidnapping domestic violence.
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