A suspect in San Marcos was taken into custody after an 11-hour standoff with SWAT teams, following a report of domestic violence. The incident started at 10 a.m. in an apartment complex on Flatiron Way. The suspect, barricaded in the apartment, refused to communicate with deputies and made threats of harming himself and others.
During the standoff, crisis negotiators, the sheriff’s SWAT team, and psychiatric emergency responders were present. After hours of attempts to de-escalate the situation, SWAT teams used a chemical agent to enter the apartment and safely apprehended the suspect around 9:30 p.m. The suspect, identified as Jeremiah Gowdy, was then taken to a hospital for evaluation. Additionally, rifles and handguns were found in the apartment during a search.
Jeremiah Gowdy is expected to be booked into the Vista Detention Facility and may face charges related to domestic violence and violating an emergency protective order. The sheriff’s office did not disclose further details to protect the privacy of domestic violence victims but assured that resources have been made available to them.
In light of Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October, the sheriff’s office emphasized that help is available for those experiencing domestic violence. They encouraged individuals in immediate danger to call 9-1-1 or reach out to the Domestic Violence Hotline at (888) DVLINKS (385-4657). Support services can also be accessed at One Safe Place in San Marcos or by calling (760) 290-3690.
It is important for victims of domestic violence to know that they are not alone, not at fault, and do not deserve abuse. Everyone has rights and can seek help. The sheriff’s office reiterated this message as part of their statement regarding the incident.
