PHOENIX, Ariz. — A man was arrested Thursday after pointing a gun at firefighters who were called to conduct a welfare check.
ABC15 reported that police arrested Steven Whitlock and booked him into jail on charges of aggravated assault and theft.
Firefighters arrived first and attempted to contact Whitlock, but he didn’t immediately answer the door.
As firefighters were preparing to leave, Whitlock allegedly opened the door with a gun in his hand and pointed it at the firefighters. The firefighters dropped their equipment and ran for cover.
Police said the man went back into his apartment and then came back outside to grab the firefighters’ equipment, according to the report.
Authorities then engaged in an hour-long standoff with the suspect who barricaded himself inside his apartment. Eventually, authorities forced themselves into the apartment and took Whitlock into custody.