Suspect arrested after hours-long standoff in Altoona

UPDATE: 45-year-old Al Mu Min Yusef Diaz has been taken into custody by Altoona Police.

Officers on the scene said the area is now safe. Police said they took Diaz in for allegedly fighting with his ex-wife and allegedly threatening to shoot and kill her. Police noted he was not to possess any firearms due to previous charges.

Altoona Police Officers and Pennsylvania State Troopers created a perimeter around Diaz’s residence and conducted surveillance until The Altoona Police Tactical Response Team (TRT) arrived on the scene. For approximately 4 hours, The Altoona Police Tactical Response Team attempted to persuade Diaz to exit the residence and surrender through various means.

Shortly before 5 p.m., Lt. Ashley Day of The Altoona Police Criminal Investigations Division, who specializes in Hostage Negotiations, made contact with Diaz via a phone call. Lt. Day was able to convince Diaz to surrender and exit the residence peacefully.

He was taken into custody without incident. Police executed a search warrant on the house and allegedly found multiple firearms, counterfeit money and drugs.

He is facing charges of possessing a firearm, terroristic threats, simple assault and harassment. He will face additional charges in relation to the items that were found during the search of the home.

ALTOONA, Pa. (WTAJ) — Altoona residents are asked to avoid an area of the City due to a police standoff.

There is a standoff in the area of 10th Street and 1st Avenue. Residents are advised to avoid the area. EMTs were called to the scene.

The suspect had gone on Facebook Live from inside the home while police were trying to get him to come outside. He proclaimed his innocence about some “domestic” matter and said he didn’t have a gun.

WTAJ has a crew at the scene working to learn more about this standoff.

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