2 Children Rescued By Ashland Police After 7-Hour Standoff

ASHLAND, Ore. — In a coordinated operation, the Ashland Police Department (APD) resolved a distressing situation last night for two children who were held hostage by a Central Point man in an Ashland apartment.

Following a call received by Emergency Situations of Southern Oregon (ECSO) Dispatch at 5:53 p.m. on Thursday reporting that a potentially armed suicidal individual was holding two children (ages 4 and 7) captive in an apartment located in the 300 block of Engle Street in Ashland, several police resources were deployed.

After negotiations proved unsuccessful, diversionary tactics were deployed by the SWAT team. The APD, Jackson County Sheriff’s Office (JCSO) SWAT, and Crisis Negotiators Team (CNT), secured the release of the children after a seven-hour standoff.

Ashland Police Rescue Hostages After Failed Negotiations

Responding to the call received at 5:53 p.m., police arrived on site. By 9 p.m., APD officers had been unable to subdue the suspect, later identified as Erik Macias, 36, of Central Point, and called in additional resources. JCSO’s SWAT team and Crisis Negotiation Team joined the APD officers and deputies surrounded the property. At the same time, detectives applied for a search warrant as a crisis negotiator reached the suspect on a phone.

As police surrounded the apartment, negotiations ensued but despite exhaustive attempts at talks, negotiations were unsuccessful, leading to the deployment of diversionary tactics. The SWAT team with JCSO K9 announcements deployed a flash-bang outside the apartment and then made entry into the apartment,”

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Law enforcement agencies succeeded in extracting the children safely and reuniting them with their mother at 12:42 a.m. APD confirmed that the children are safe and with their mother.

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Ashland Hostage Taker Criminal Record

Court records show Macias, the suspect, has a long criminal record going back to 2006 which includes felony charges such as assault, harassment, and driving under the influence of intoxicants (DUII).  At the time of the incident, he had 2 outstanding felony warrants, one for fourth-degree domestic violence assault and another for DUII.

He is now also facing another charge of fourth-degree domestic violence assault, domestic violence menacing, coercion, and driving while suspended. APD is still pursuing additional leads and the investigation is still active and ongoing. Macias is on the Jackson County Jail roster where he is being held without bail.