A 47-year-old man was found dead in a Clearlake residence on Wednesday morning, prompting a standoff with a suspect who ultimately surrendered after hours of negotiation, authorities said.
Officers were dispatched to the 5900 block of James Street at approximately 10:30 a.m. after a caller reported a deceased individual, Clearlake Police Chief Timothy Hobbs said. Responding officers found the body of a 47-year-old man, who showed clear signs of being a homicide victim.
Inside the residence, officers identified the suspect as 55-year-old Martin Jimenez, who refused to come out despite repeated attempts to negotiate, Hobbs said.
The property was secured, and a search warrant was quickly obtained by a Lakeport Police detective assisting the investigation, according to Hobbs. The Lake and Mendocino County Regional SWAT team was called to the scene as officers continued efforts to coax Jimenez out of the residence.
After hours of resistance, Jimenez surrendered when chemical agents were deployed into the home, Hobbs said. He was arrested on suspicion of murder and will be booked into the Lake County Jail.
The investigation is ongoing, and no further details are being released at this time, Hobbs added.
Clearlake Police expressed gratitude to the Lake County Sheriff’s Office, Lakeport Police Department, Mendocino County Sheriff’s Office, and Ukiah Police Department for their assistance in resolving the incident safely.
