BANNING BENCH STAND-OFF: Sheriff's Department Releases Account of 'Barricaded Subject / Warrant Service / Negligently Discharging Firearm'

More than 24 hours after a suspect wanted on a felony parole violation surrendered on Banning Bench, the Sheriff's Department released a statement about the stand-off and arrest of  Rodney K. Nottingham, 37.

Here is the report verbatim from Sgt. Vic Trevino of the Cabazon Station:

On Wednesday, September 25, 2013 at 11:55 AM, deputies assigned to the Cabazon Station responded to a residence in the 43000 block Mesa St. reference a theft investigation. Prior to their arrival a records check was conducted and it was learned Rodney Nottingham, 37 years old, who resides at the residence had an outstanding no bail felony warrant for a parole violation.

As deputies approached the residence Nottingham ran away from them toward a concrete underground bunker that was on the property. Nottingham successfully evaded the deputies and barricaded himself inside the fortified bunker. Numerous announcements were made by deputies and the Riverside County Sheriff’s Department Aviation Unit’s helicopter for Nottingham to exit the bunker. After Nottingham failed to comply, the Sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, (SWAT), responded to the location. Upon the deployment of SWAT, a woman not wanted for any crime exited the bunker and surrendered. After more announcements, Nottingham exited the bunker and was taken into custody without further incident.

Further investigation revealed Nottingham had negligently discharged three rounds from a semi-automatic handgun minutes prior to the initial arrival of the deputies. Nottingham was booked into the Smith Correctional Facility for the parole hold, felon in possession of a firearm, and discharging a firearm in a negligent manner.

Riverside County Code Enforcement responded to the location to evaluate the safety of the underground bunker.

The Riverside County Sheriff’s Department is committed to the safety of the community and will be vigilant in investigating all crimes of this nature. The investigation is ongoing and we are reaching out to the public and asking anyone with information about this incident to contact Corporal Hendry or Investigator Pierson at the Cabazon Sheriff’s Station at 951-922-7100 or the Riverside County Sheriff’s Dispatch Center (1-800-950-2444), or email the Cabazon Station at Station at CabazonStation@RiversideSheriff.org