Officers diffuse potentially explosive encounter in Pateros

PATEROS – Officers from several jurisdictions converged on a residence in Pateros on Wednesday, Dec. 9, to diffuse what could have been a potentially explosive situation.
Okanogan County Emergency Management issued an advisory on Wednesday afternoon, Dec. 9, alerting citizens to avoid the south end of Pateros in the vicinity of West Ives Street, Bill Shaw Road and Riverside Drive where a resident was barricaded in his residence.
The Okanogan County Sheriff’s Office had received a call earlier that morning concerning a homeowner standing on his porch with a rifle threatening to shoot Pateros city workers who were replacing a water meter on a nearby residence.
“Deputies responded to the location, 639 W. Ives St, Pateros,” said Okanogan County Sheriff Tony Hawley and there contacted David Carpenter, a 55-year-old man at his Pateros residence.
“(Carpenter) refused to exit his residence and made statements that his residence was wired with explosives, which would detonate if deputies attempted to enter the residence,” Hawley said.
Okanogan County Sheriff’s deputies, Washington Department of Wildlife, and Brewster Police responded to the location to set up a perimeter around the residence. The North Central Washington Special Response Team responded to the residence along with crisis negotiator from the Sheriff’s Office.
“We also requested mutual aid from Douglas County Special Response Team and Chelan County Regional Response Team due to the threat of the explosives,” said Hawley. “The tactical teams were utilized to assist some residents in evacuating the area.”
Officers also contacted the Pateros School District, which was in classes at the time, to have them secure the buildings and not send any students to that area of the town.
“Negotiators spoke with Carpenter for several hours in efforts to have him peacefully surrender,” said Hawley. “At about 1858 hours (6:58 p.m.) Carpenter exited the residence and was taken into custody.”
A search warrant of his residence turned up several firearms, but no explosives were found.
Carpenter was booked into Okanogan County jail for Felony Threats to Kill.