Police Chief Cliff Bush said, "At the time this morning we did believe he may have been armed."
Exeter police first responded to the home near the corner of Kaweah and Sequoia Drive, after the suspect's mother called police saying he had just shot an arrow from a compound bow towards her. She wasn't hit. Police have seized the bow, which looks similar to this one.
When police got to the home the mother had already left the home. The suspect, michael sanchez, 25, was still inside refusing to come out. His girlfriend and their 8 month old, 2 year old and 4 year old, were still inside.
Tulare County Acting Sheriff Mike Boudreaux said, "The safety of our community as well as the safety of those involved -- with children -- everyone's heart begins to race a little bit higher so our main concern is to get them safe and get the mom safe."
The family told police they weren't being held against their will. The SWAT-standoff placed nearby Exeter High and Rocky Hill schools on lockdown. Students say they were holed up in the same classroom for four hours.
Nearby businesses were also temporarily closed.
