Beaver County man accused of using 2-year-old daughter as "human shield" during hours-long SWAT standoff
AMBRIDGE, Pa. (KDKA) — A man in Beaver County is accused of using his 2-year-old daughter as a "human shield" and holding her hostage for several hours on Tuesday.
Beaver County 911 said law enforcement was called to 6th Street in Ambridge on Tuesday around 2:30 p.m. for a man barricaded in a home with a child.
Police said it started as a domestic violence incident on Monday, but the suspect, Manuel Turcios-Perez, got away. Police tracked him to Ambridge on Tuesday, but according to the criminal complaint, he grabbed his 2-year-old daughter and used her as a "shield," prompting officers to call for backup.
Police said they tried to negotiate with him for hours before SWAT officers were called. Investigators said Turcios-Perez told officers he would hurt himself before surrendering and that "once it became dark out it would get worse for the police."
Eventually, authorities said they made the decision to enter the home, where they found Turcios-Perez using the child "like a human shield." Police said officers tackled Turcios-Perez, who tried to grab a detective's pistol. Officers said they hit him in the head multiple times then wrestled him to the ground and handcuffed him.
During the struggle, the girl was taken from the home and was evaluated by medics before she was returned to her mother.
"Anytime there are no injuries when you have SWAT make entry, no injuries is a peaceful resolution," Ambridge Police Chief John DeLuca said.
Police said the suspect's 12-year-old daughter got off the bus at the home during the incident, but officers got her to safety.
Turcios-Perez is facing multiple charges, including resisting arrest and endangering the welfare of a child.
