WOODLAND HILLS—A 46-year-old man, wanted on felony domestic violence charges, barricaded himself inside a Woodland Hills townhome on Sunday, July 19. Officers with the Los Angeles Police Department visited the suspect’s residence, located at 5720 N. Owensmouth Ave., to do a domestic violence follow-up after a victim reported abuse at LAPD’s Topanga Station around 3:15 p.m.
The suspect refused to comply or exit the townhome. Law enforcement was aware the suspect had several firearms registered to his name. Officers believe it was possible he was armed resulting in an hours-long standoff, around 8 hours, which later progressed into a structure fire from inside the home.
SWAT responded to the scene around 6 p.m., and the Los Angeles Fire Department arrived around 6:40 p.m. The fire broke out around 11:05 p.m., spreading to neighboring units and prompting an evacuation of nearby homes.
The suspect was found dead inside the townhome after it became engulfed in flames, prompting an arson investigation. The suspect’s name has not been released to the public. The suspect’s wife, the domestic violence victim who filed the report, did sustain injuries and her condition is unknown.
By Milan Manesh