The Sierra Vista Police Department safely apprehended an armed woman who barricaded herself in her apartment for more than six hours on Wednesday.
Officers responded to Vista Village Apartments just after three o'clock yesterday for reports of a woman waving a handgun and attempting to break a window outside her neighbor's apartment.
When officers arrived, 63-year-old Gayle Farris had returned to her apartment. Farris would not cooperate with the officers and then barricaded herself in the apartment.
Neighboring apartments were evacuated and SVPD Tactical Unit were called to the scene. Seventh Street from Charles Dr. to Clark Dr. were closed.
Negotiations between Farris and the tactical unit were unsuccessful and less-lethal chemicals were deployed into the apartment from the backyard, Farris fired her handgun twice toward officers.
After hours without communication from Farris, the Cochise County Sheriff's Office SWAT team was called to assist. All utilities were shut off to the apartment, additional less-lethal chemicals were deployed and Farris fired her handgun several more times.
Just before nine o'clock Farris left her barricaded room and walked toward the front door of her apartment with her handgun. A member of the SVPD Tactical Unit fired a less-lethal impact weapon and struck Farris twice. Farris went out the front door, complied with commands to drop the gun and was taken into custody without further incident.
SVPD detectives executed a search warrant of the apartment and collected evidence.
Farris was transported to Canyon Vista Medical Center for medical clearance and is now booked into the Cochise County Jail.
She is charged with five counts of attempted homicide, disorderly conduct involving a deadly weapon, aggravated assault, and resisting arrest. She is held on a $500,000 bond.
SVPD Police Chief, Adam Thrasher said, “I’m proud of how our officers maintained their composure throughout this volatile, prolonged incident and that it was resolved safely, without resulting in any injuries or loss of life. A situation like this requires contributions from many members of our department, well beyond those on the front line, and everyone rose to the occasion as they always do.”
Thrasher also said, “We’re also very appreciative of how the residents at the apartment complex and surrounding area cooperated with police and remained patient when access to the area, and some apartments, was restricted."
