Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - After several hours of negotiations, a man was smoked out of a home November 12, after he attempted to blow up the residence.

During negotiations, the suspect allegedly pointed a handgun at officers from within the home, according to the West Covina Police Department.

First responders were called to the 700 block of North Broadmoor Avenue to a reported fire alarm call just before 1:30 a.m. The suspect within stated he wanted to burn his home down.

“When officers arrived, the male subject, who was outside, quickly entered the residence. As officers approached the location they smelled an odor of gas and something burning. When officers attempted to make contact with the male, officers observed the subject walk up to a window and point a firearm at them,” according to the West Covina Police Department in a written statement.

The West Covina SWAT Team responded, as well as a crisis negotiation team. Officers determined the suspect was alone in the residence, according to the West Covina Police Department.

A search warrant was written. As negotiations continued to go nowhere, tear gas was propelled into the home. Suspect Michael Samaniego, 40, was arrested and booked on suspicion of assault on a peace officer with a firearm and resisting an officer by use of force, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Samaniego is being held without bail ahead of a scheduled appearance in West Covina Superior Court November 14.

Written by AARON CASTREJON
CityWatch Editor

WEST COVINA - A reported argument led to a shooting at a popular bar late Saturday night.

The shooting unfolded at Tina’s Tavern, 328 S. Glendora Ave., around 11:30 p.m. November 9. First responders arrived to one victim wounded in a parking lot, another was found inside the bar.

Both men who were shot were conscious while being loaded into ambulances.

​Both victims were hospitalized with injuries deemed not life-threatening.

A white sedan was towed from the scene as evidence. No suspects have been arrested, according to the West Covina Police Department.

Investigators broke down the scene around 1:40 a.m.

Multiple attempts to speak with a West Covina Police supervisor were unsuccessful.

It is not publicly clear if a suspect is in custody.