Man Injured, Suspect Captured After Azusa Barricade

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

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AZUSA - A suspect accused of seriously injuring a relative and holding him against his will surrendered after keeping police at bay for hours on end Tuesday.

Police arrived to the Westgate Villa apartment complex, 563 E. Arrow Hwy., around 3:30 p.m. to a disturbance call and learned an injured man was potentially being held against his will, said Cpt. Robert Landeros of the Azusa Police Department.

The suspect was holed up in one of the second-story units.

Los Angeles County mental health evaluators assisted crisis negotiators in attempting to speak with anyone inside the unit. Covina Police and Los Angeles County Sheriff’s deputies also assisted.

“As the incident progressed, the suspect inside was able to let the victim go. He was transported to Pomona Valley Hospital for some serious injuries,” Landeros told SGV CityWatch.

At the time of interview Tuesday night, a motive for the incident was not known.

Azusa Police used less lethal rounds, including flash bang grenades and pepper balls to get the suspect to surrender peacefully.

Residents of the apartment complex and neighbors bore witness to the attempts to capture the suspect. The loud booms of the flash bang grenades echoed throughout surrounding neighborhoods.

Smoke occasionally wafted out of the apartment unit targeted by police after they used an armored truck to shatter several windows to gain access to the unit.

No officers or other residents were injured, Landeros said.

Herman Hormel Murphy, 57, was booked on felony-level charges. He is being held in lieu of $135,000 bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in the West Covina courthouse June 24, according to Los Angeles County booking records.