LAS VEGAS (KTNV) — New details have emerged about the suspect in last week's multi-hour police standoff in downtown Las Vegas.
George Barrios, 39, faces charges including four counts of assault with a deadly weapon against a protected person, resisting a public officer with a firearm, illegal gun possession by a prohibited person, and destruction of property.
Documents recently obtained by Channel 13 reveal that multiple neighbors witnessed Barrios experiencing what appeared to be a mental health crisis.
Witnesses reported him pounding on doors, jiggling doorknobs, and repeatedly claiming to be Jesus Christ. One neighbor saw him throw her glass vase from a fourth-floor balcony, shattering it below.
The Incident Unfolds
Police responded to an apartment complex in the 200 block of North 11th Street and went to Barrios's fourth-floor unit. According to the arrest report, officers learned that Barrios has schizophrenia and that a friend of his had overdosed the day before.
When officers knocked, Barrios answered shirtless and spoke incoherently, continuing to claim he was Jesus Christ while expressing a desire for police to shoot him. He repeatedly went in and out of his apartment despite officers' commands. At one point, he reappeared wearing a black sweatshirt.
The Confrontation
All officers on scene reported that Barrios then reached into his waistband, pulled out a black handgun, and pointed it directly at them. Fearing for their lives due to his erratic behavior and threatening statements, officers believed he was about to fire.
Officer Daniel Abraham discharged his weapon twice. Barrios retreated into his apartment, locked the door, and refused to exit, prompting police to declare a barricade situation.
WATCH the full briefing from police on the incident here:
Resolution and Arrest
SWAT teams responded and, using K9 units and non-lethal weapons, took Barrios into custody around 10:30 p.m. A background check revealed he's a convicted felon from California, making his gun possession illegal.
Aftermath
Barrios was hospitalized at UMC for injuries including canine bites to his right forearm and left hand, plus injuries to his right rib area from non-lethal weapons.
During his post-Miranda interview, Barrios gave contradictory statements. He claimed to have been sleeping and didn't understand why his door was damaged. While initially admitting to gun ownership, he later denied ever having a weapon. He also claimed the police dog attacked him unprovoked and insisted he was sober during the incident.
-
North Las Vegas woman pleads for help finding her stolen senior dog
A North Las Vegas woman is asking for the public's help after her senior dog, Candy, was stolen from her front yard earlier this week.
North Las Vegas woman pleads for help finding her stolen senior dog (credit: Mariana Ortega Dominguez)
A North Las Vegas woman is asking for the public's help after her senior dog, Candy, was stolen from her front yard earlier this week. (courtesy of Mariana Ortega Dominguez)
Bicyclist taken to hospital after east Las Vegas hit-and-run, says LVMPD
It happened around 7:30 a.m. in the 3200 block of E St. Louis Avenue, in the area of Fremont Street just north of Sahara, according to the Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department.
Arrest report shares new details on substitute teacher arrested for obstruction
Kimberly Ortega, 44, was arrested on a charge of obstruction by the Clark County School District Police Department on April 2 at Dr. Charles I. West Preparatory Academy.
