A man was taken into custody on Monday after sparking an all-day standoff that led to a shelter-in-place directive and some evacuations in San Pablo, law enforcement officials reported.
According to The San Francisco Chronicle, the suspect, identified as 38-year-old Leo Ortega, locked himself in a shed at a residence on the 1400 block of Rachel Road in the Montalvin Manor area, occasionally firing his weapon. His actions resulted in a tense standoff with sheriff's deputies that culminated in his surrender after significant negotiation efforts.
Ortega, a convicted felon, now faces a string of charges, including attempted murder, assault with a firearm on peace officers, and weapons violations, according to information shared by a public information officer, as outlined by Henry K. Lee on X. This arrest adds to Ortega's criminal history, which already includes an elder abuse conviction.
UPDATE: Convicted felon Leo Ortega, 38, arrested on suspicion of att.murder, assault w/firearm & weapons violations for repeatedly firing shots into the air, at drones & cop cars from shed during Montalvin Manor standoff, per @CoCoSheriff. He has recent elder abuse conviction pic.twitter.com/WnNDQKwHPf
— Henry K. Lee (@henrykleeKTVU) February 27, 2024
The Contra Costa County Sheriff's Office had earlier advised residents of Montalvin Manor to stay indoors and keep clear of windows as the situation evolved. Montalvin Manor K-8, located just steps from the unfolding incident, was forced to close for the day, prioritizing "safety of our families and staff," as mentioned on the school's Facebook page and reported by Hoodline.
Community tension rose as the lockdown continued, with many residents unsure when they could return to normalcy. However, the West Contra Costa Unified School District and local emergency services worked together to ensure the safety of all affected during the disruption, continuously cooperating with law enforcement.
The ordeal, which began around 1:17 a.m., ended after Ortega's arrest, providing relief to a neighborhood that had been under significant stress throughout the day. Leo Ortega was subsequently booked into the Martinez Detention Facility, with the charges solidifying his status as a repeat offender within the criminal justice system.
