Clovis standoff suspect can't hide from felony charges

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- A man accused of beating up his girlfriend, then holding off a SWAT team for more than 11 hours, is now fighting felony charges. Evan Wooten, 33, made his first court appearance Friday morning.

Wooten is well-known to police in Clovis, mostly for various drug crimes, but also for stealing a gun during a burglary three years ago. His past could spell a lot more trouble in his future. Wooten hid from Clovis police for half of Tuesday and wouldn't give up even after they found his hiding spot in the attic.

"After he was located, he refused to come down and a Fresno police department canine that was also there assisting was applied," said Clovis police Lt. Jorge Gomez.

When the police dog bit Wooten, he finally surrendered and officers booked him on charges they say are very serious.

"According to the initial caller that called 911, he had hit her in the face with a gun, stabbed her in the arm and kept her against her will overnight," Gomez said.

The victim ran out of the apartment about an hour after police got there. But as she ran out, Wooten eyeballed the officers and ran back inside to hide again. After coaxing him out, police found an Airsoft gun and the knife they believe Wooten used.

The victim was taken to the hospital to treat her injuries. She posted to social media Thursday that she was out and okay. One of her friends mentioned trying to warn her about Evan Wooten. His history is dotted with criminal charges. He only recently got out of prison and was on parole when police say he barged into the woman's home.

On Friday, Wooten stood in court facing charges of assault with a deadly weapon, domestic violence, and making criminal threats.

He tried to hide again, this time from our Action News cameras, but like the police, we eventually found him as his attorney spoke

on his behalf.

"At this point, Mr. Wooten will be entering a plea of not guilty," said public defender Micha Rinkus.

Because Wooten already has a felony strike, he could spend 25 years in prison if he's convicted in this case. He's due back in court on October 6.