Suspect Holes Up in Costa Mesa Home with 2 Kids for 10 Hours

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COSTA MESA (CNS) - A 37-year-old Costa Mesa man was booked today on suspicion of attempted murder in a domestic violence conflict that led to a 10- hour standoff with police in Costa Mesa.

Tyler Nathan Thornton was booked on suspicion of attempted murder, felony domestic violence, felony child endangerment and threatening a police officer, according to Roxi Fyad of the Costa Mesa Police Department.

A woman who reported being assaulted about 12:30 a.m. was able to escape the home in the 3200 block of Dakota Avenue, according to Costa Mesa police. The couple's two children, whose ages were not immediately known, remained inside the home with the suspect when officers arrived.

It was not clear if Thornton and the victim were married, but they lived together with their children at the residence, Fyad said.

Police said the man had a registered firearm and threatened responding officers. Police later found a handgun, two long guns and an airsoft replica gun, Fyad said.

Nearby homes were evacuated as a SWAT team and K-9 units took positions around the residence. Traffic was also diverted from the area as a crisis-negotiation team communicated with the suspect, who surrendered peacefully just before 10:30 a.m.

Police said the children were recovered ``safe and sound.''

Police said they notified the Newport Mesa Unified School District about the standoff since two schools are nearby, but there were no reports of disruptions at those campuses.


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