Welfare check turns into standoff after 91-year-old opens fire on deputies

Deputies from the Butte County Sheriff’s Office announced the arrest of a senior citizen following a standoff that lasted for several hours Monday.

Don Pejsa, 91, of Concow, became the subject of a welfare check after a friend phoned authorities Monday evening, concerned that they had been unable to contact him since Saturday, according to a news release. Deputies said in a news release they arrived at Pejsa’s home at approximately 8:40 p.m. in a marked car, knocking on Pejsa’s door as they announced themselves as members of the sheriff’s office, when Pejsa responded by pointing a shotgun from a window in the front of the home.

Deputies said they once again identified themselves before Pejsa opened fire, and deputies were forced to take cover. According to the release, SWAT and hostage negotiation teams from the sheriff’s office arrived shortly after to begin communicating with Pejsa over an intercom system while they awaited a warrant.

Pejsa did not respond to communication efforts from hostage negotiators, but at approximately 1:30 a.m. he opened fire again at two SWAT team members positioned near a marked car in his driveway, deputies say.

Pejsa exited his home multiple times, still armed, while authorities attempted to subdue him with pepper spray, according to the release. Deputies said they were eventually able to move in and safely disarm him as he moved toward a fence at approximately 2:50 a.m.

Pejsa later acknowledged hearing sirens and seeing the red and blue lights, in addition to law enforcement vehicles, during an interview with authorities, according to the release.

Deputies say they are in the process of collecting evidence and interviewing witnesses, while Pejsa has been booked into the Butte County Jail on three felony counts of attempted murder on a peace officer.