Chaos erupted in a Glendale neighborhood today as police swarmed the 3300 block of Reta Street, responding to a violent assault. Glendale officers rushed to the scene after receiving frantic 9-1-1 calls and discovered signs of an altercation. No victim or suspect was in immediate sight, triggering three schools in proximity to hunker down in lockdown mode for the safety of students and staff within.
The tense standoff ensued at a Reta Street residence where suspect Vahan Keshishyan, a 28-year-old from La Crescenta, was believed to be holed up. The lockdowns were lifted once the law enforcement presence pinpointed the suspect's location, allowing children to safely leave the school grounds. Glendale's police brought in their Crisis Negotiation Team and SWAT to handle negotiations. After several nerve-wracking hours, Keshishyan gave himself up to the authorities.
Upon entry, officers made the grim discovery of a deceased individual, the details of their identity withheld pending family notification. The link between the deceased and Keshishyan remains a mystery under investigation. According to the Glendale Police Department's report, Keshishyan is now in custody and faces murder charges, while detectives and forensics experts scour the crime scene for evidence.
The community is reaching out to anyone with information to step forward and assist in the ongoing investigation. Tips can be passed along to the Glendale Police Department by calling 818-548-4911. For those wishing to remain anonymous, they can contact the L.A. Regional Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS or visit www.lacrimestoppers.org.
For over a century, the Glendale Police Department has served their community, now numbering about 250 sworn officers and roughly 400 total employees. Their responsibilities span wide, from emergency 9-1-1 responses and community policing to narcotics and SWAT operations. The department's mission statement emphasizes proactive policing and forging strong ties with Glendale's residents.
