A Cottonwood man was arrested following a domestic violence incident that ended after SWAT was called to the scene and a lengthy negotiation process ensued.
The Cottonwood Police Department was dispatched to a home on the 100 block of S. 14th street around 8:20 p.m. on Monday, June 21, to investigate a reported domestic violence situation. The call was made by a child in the home who said their father was physically abusing their mother, according to police.
Officers spoke to the mother when they arrived at the house, who told them that everything was OK. However, based on her mannerisms, officers were able to sense that something was wrong. As their conversation went on, the woman reportedly made a hand gesture of a gun, alerting police to the possible presence of a weapon.
Police were able to get the woman and her children out of the house. Once safe, the woman told police that the man in the house, identified as 32-year-old Silvestre Castro Garcia, of Cottonwood, had hit her. She also told them that he did in fact have a gun and had threatened her and the children by saying that he “had enough bullets for each of them.”
During police’s conversation with the woman, Castro Garcia allegedly came to the front of the house and barricaded the front door of the residence.
“He had used a mattress that was standing up behind the front door, which prevented it from being able to open all the way,” Cmdr. Gareth Braxton-Johnson said.
Because Castro Garcia refused to leave the residence, combined with his reported violent behavior and possession of a deadly weapon, police requested assistance from the Verde Valley Regional SWAT as well as members of the Crisis Negotiation Team.
Negotiators were in communication with Castro Garcia for about an hour-and-a-half before he finally came out of the house. The suspect was taken into custody at around 10:08 p.m. without any further incident.
Officers searched the residence and located a .357-caliber handgun, ammunition, and what they suspected to be methamphetamine and drug paraphernalia.
Castro Garcia was transported and booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center and faces multiple charges for domestic violence, aggravated assault, disorderly conduct, threatening and intimidating, preventing the use of 911, possession of dangerous drugs, possession of drug paraphernalia, criminal damage and misconduct involving weapons.
Braxton-Johnson said the city offers multiple resources for those experiencing domestic violence.
“Violence is never an appropriate way to work through difficulties, arguments or life’s challenges,” he said. “If you or someone you know believe you are in a relationship that may not be healthy, the Verde Valley Sanctuary and the National Domestic Violence Hotline has some excellent resources. Our city also has a victim advocate that assists those persons affected by domestic violence and are navigating the criminal justice system.”
The National Domestic Violence Hotline can be reached by calling 1-800-799-7233 or by texting STARTto 88788.
