Crime & Safety
Man Arrested With Cache of Weapons After SWAT Standoff: Police
Francisco Martinez, a convicted felon, was arrested with a cache of weapons Sunday morning after a standoff with HPD SWAT.
HOUSTON — An argument over drugs and money sparked an overnight standoff with SWAT officers, police said. The incident began at about 12:30 a.m. with a shooting in the Marie and Fletcher streets, just north of downtown.
When officers arrived they found a man hiding outside the residence who told police that the man inside had shot at him as he ran from the house.
HPD SWAT Commander Larry Baimbridge said the incident began as an argument over drugs or money. The man who called police was not injured.
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HPD SWAT Commander @LarryBaimbridge briefs media on conclusion of scene in 400 block of Marie Street. #hounews https://t.co/dsY84dYbKC
— Houston Police (@houstonpolice) April 21, 2019
Police identified the man with the gun as Francisco Martinez, and tried several times to speak with him and get him to surrender, but he refused, Baimbridge said.
Police fired tear gas inside the home, and he eventually surrendered, officials said.
Police went inside and fond a cache of weapons, including several AK-47 semiautomatic rifles and narcotics.
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Martinez has a prior criminal history. He could face multiple felony charges for the incident, including aggravated assault with a deadly weapon.
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