An intensive standoff in El Cajon concluded with the arrest of Joseph Gonsalves, who had barricaded himself in a residence after being approached by law enforcement for outstanding warrants.
On Thursday, Gonsalves was located by the U.S. Marshals Fugitive Task Force at a property on Silverbrook Drive. The search was for felony domestic violence and an investigation from the Alpine Sheriff’s Station. The Task Force worked with Sheriff's Detectives to quickly obtain a search warrant for the home, due to the situation that was potentially assessed to escalate.
The Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Detail (SED/SWAT) was deployed to the scene in the following events. Initial attempts to peacefully make contact with Gonsalves failed as he refused to surrender, and subsequently, he threatened to harm deputies if they attempted to force entry. According to the San Diego County Sheriff’s Office, attempts were made to negotiate with Gonsalves and ensure the safety of another individual, a woman, who was also inside the home at the time.
The situation grew tense when Gonsalves disabled a drone sent in to visually assess the interior and check on the individuals' welfare. Deputies were forced to utilize chemical agents to encourage the occupants to exit the building. The woman eventually came out, and after being evaluated by deputies, it was determined that she was not a victim of a crime nor being held against her will. However, she required treatment at the scene for chemical exposure.
Gonsalves, however, remained inside the residence. Multiple efforts "to deescalate the situation and have Gonsalves exit the home peacefully" were unsuccessful, as noted in the San Diego Sheriff's Department report. The standoff concluded around midnight when SWAT officers, accompanied by a Sheriff's K-9, entered the home and took Gonsalves into custody. He sustained injuries during the arrest and was transported to the hospital for treatment.
