Las Vegas Sun

March 28, 2024

Gunman rousts street

More than 30 residents and their pets returned home today after a man threatening suicide with a high-powered rifle forced police to evacuate their western neighborhood for almost seven hours.

Donnie Caldwell, 47, surrendered to Metro Police at 1:15 a.m. today.

Caldwell's wife, whose name was not released, got home just after 5 p.m. Sunday to find her husband dressed in camouflage clothing and armed with guns and a knife, Officer James Oaks said. Caldwell threatened to kill himself and anyone who came near him, Oaks said.

The wife left the house at 336 S. Mallard St., near Jones Boulevard and Alta Drive, drove to a nearby shopping center and called 911, Oaks said.

When police arrived about 5:20 p.m., they found Caldwell barricaded inside the house. Police summoned SWAT officers and evacuated all the residents on the street.

Police said Caldwell, whom they said had been drinking, made numerous references to military duty during the Vietnam War. He yelled several times for officers to "come in and get him," Oaks said.

A friend of Caldwell, who said they were "old Navy buddies," tried unsuccessfully to talk Caldwell into putting down his weapons, including a high-powered rifle. Caldwell eventually surrendered to police.

Caldwell has not been charged and was not in police custody this morning.

Evacuated residents took temporary refuge at nearby Red Rock Elementary School at 408 Upland Blvd., where refreshments were provided during the wait.

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