Armed criminal in US updates social networking site during 16-hour police standoff, then shoots self
Armed criminal in US updates social networking site during 16-hour police standoff, then shoots self
Jason Valdez is no stranger to US police. His latest brush with the law, however, may have been the most public.
An armed Valdez (36) held a woman hostage at a Utah motel in a tense 16-hour, overnight standoff with SWAT teams, all the while finding time to keep his family and friends updated on Facebook, authorities said.
Valdez with his 'hostage' who he claimed was willingly with him and police were jeopardising her life
He even got some help from the outside over the social network: a friend posted that a SWAT officer was hiding in the bushes.
"Thank you homie," Valdez replied. "Good looking out." When officers swarmed the room, Valdez shot himself in the chest with a handgun, Ogden police said. He remains in a critical condition.
Police believe he wrote the messages on Facebook during the incident. In all, Valdez made six posts and added at least a dozen new friends.
His family and friends responded with 100 comments. Some people offered words of support, and others pleaded for him to "do the right thing".
Court records show Valdez has a criminal history, including convictions for aggravated assault and domestic violence in front of a child.
A judge issued a warrant for Valdez's arrest after he missed a June 1 preliminary hearing in the case.
On Friday afternoon, Ogden police tried to serve Valdez with a felony drug warrant for the missed court appearance. Valdez barricaded himself inside the Western Colony Inn.
"I'm currently in a stand-off ... kinda ugly, but ready for whatever," Valdez wrote in his first post at 11.23 pm. "I love u guyz and if I don't make it out of here alive that I'm in a better place and u were all great friends."
Valdez said in posts that he was with a woman named Veronica. Police described her as a hostage.
In his posts, Valdez told friends when police shut off the power that his "hostage" was fine and with him willingly and that police were jeopardising her life by their actions.
At 2.04 am, Valdez posted two pictures of himself and the woman. "Got a cute 'Hostage' huh," Valdez wrote of the photographs.
At 3.48 am, one of Valdez's friends posted that police had a "gunner in the bushes stay low." Valdez thanked him in a reply.
The final post was at 7.25 am on Saturday: "Well i was lettin this girl go but these dumb b******s made an attempt to come in after i told them not to, so i popped off a couple more shots and now were startin all over again it seems ..."
SWAT officers stormed Valdez's room about 90 minutes later. Police never fired, Ogden Lieutenant Danielle Croyle said.
Police believe that responses from Valdez's friend gave him an advantage. Authorities are now discussing whether some of Valdez' friends should be charged with obstruction of justice.
"We're not sure yet how to deal with it," said Croyle.
6
Number of Facebook posts Valdez made during the 16-hour siege
ADVERTISEMENT
Subscribe today by clicking the link and stay updated with the latest news!" Click here!
