The woman told police that Mata had come home that night (Friday) intoxicated and threatened them with a gun. “We sent officers over to the neighborhood, and when the officers came on the scene, they came under fire,” said Kendall. Additional officers responded, and as they hunkered down, they decided to escort local neighbors out of harm’s way.
None of the officers on the scene fired a weapon during the standoff, due partly to the circumstances. “The suspect was firing from a position of cover,” said Kendall, adding that they weren’t able to return fire.
“While escorting residents to safety, Mata began firing on officers,” said Kendall, a move that prompted additional officers, including those from the Kings County Sheriff’s Department and SWAT team. In addition, an armored vehicle was brought in and transported neighbors to a safe location. While no residents or officers were injured in the siege, the suspect fired and hit a house across the street several times.
Eventually, Mata was arrested early Saturday morning after emerging from his home at around 3 a.m., still refusing to surrender. It was at that point that a Kings County Sheriff’s K-9 quickly subdued the suspect, allowing officers to make an arrest. “He refused an order to surrender,” said Kendall, whose department ordered the K-9 into action.
“I think it (K-9) was an invaluable tool,” said Kendall, who added that the dog was not harmed during the incident.
Once arrested, police discovered that Mata possessed four weapons. “They were all illegally possessed by him,” said the Lemoore chief of police who added that one of the guns, a rifle, was illegal under any circumstances.
Police officers also discovered 45 spent shell casings, indicating the number of shots Mata may have fired during the prolonged standoff.
Due to injuries from the K-9, Mata was taken to a local hospital. When ultimately released, he will be booked into the Kings County Jail, where he will be charged with attempted murder and at least eight other related charges.
Saturday’s arrest wasn’t the first for Mata. Kendall, during his press conference, said that the Lemoore man was arrested in 2008 suspected of making criminal threats. According to Kendall, the suspect spent 16 months in prison. “We haven’t had any contact with him since,” recalled the police chief.
