A Pueblo West man is now in custody following a standoff with deputies where he threatened to engage in gunfire, according to a statement from the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. The ordeal began around 5:30 p.m. when deputies responded to a distress call at a home on Sandusky Drive, leading to a tense situation with 50-year-old Jason Monett, who was reportedly suicidal and armed in his vehicle.
Monett, who was coaxed back inside his home by law enforcement, allegedly had access to a collection of firearms and had threatened to "shoot it out" with the deputies, while two other individuals were present inside, according to the Pueblo County Sheriff's Office. The deputies communicated with Monett and, after failed attempts to negotiate his peaceful surrender, decided to withdraw temporarily, inspiring a precarious wait manifesting a promise of volatility.
The tense drama escalated when Monett later contacted the communication center of the sheriff's office, making threats against the lieutenant on duty and indicating intentions to attack the Pueblo West Sheriff's Office substation. According to officials, Monett ventured out to drive by the substation several times, prompting the mobilization of the PCSO SWAT and crisis negotiations team in attempts to defuse the situation without further escalation.
After enduring hours where the complexity of human fragility played against the ticking clock, negotiators finally resolved as Monett agreed to leave his stronghold, leading to his arrest and subsequent hospital evaluation for medical clearance, "It’s pretty scary when you have someone armed with guns, threatening to shoot at deputies, and then going out to look for them," Pueblo County Sheriff David J. Lucero remarked, as obtained by Pueblo County Sheriff's Office, praising the restraint and professionalism displayed by the deputies that contributed to a non-violent end to the stand-off.
A search warrant executed at Monett’s home and vehicle led to the discovery of 11 firearms and various ammunition, all of which were secured for safekeeping. The outcome, which could have veered into tragedy, instead concluded with no injuries as Sheriff Lucero emphasized his pride in the handling of a situation described as fraught with peril. Jason Monett now faces first-degree assault charges and is being held at the Pueblo County Jail.
