CLEARLAKE >> Two men were arrested on separate warrants and one hospitalized with a severe wound after a machete attack and stand off in Clearlake on Saturday.
Officers from the Clearlake Police Department took Anthony Hammond, 34 of Clearlake, into custody on multiple charges after he allegedly slashed the victim following a tirade. Jordan Gallon, 19 also of Clearlake, was booked for possession of unlicensed weapons.
Authorities did not disclose the victim’s name, noting only that he was an African American male.
The incident began around 8:15 p.m. on May 27. Officers responding to reports of a stabbing at the Beach Front Apartments on Lakeshore Drive found the victim with a serious wound to his shoulder.
According to a report issued by CPD Sgt. Travis Lenz, the victim told officers Hammond had been yelling racial slurs at a number of people in the apartment parking lot before the attack.
Officers established a perimeter around the apartment to prevent Hammond’s escape and proceeded to evacuate all nearby residences. Lenz reported that officers approached the building and were able to view while looking through a window one male adult asleep on the couch and Hammond attempting to conceal himself inside his refrigerator.
“After being unsuccessful, Hammond ran into the rear bedroom of his residence, out of sight,” Lenz said in a prepared statement. “Officers were able to remove the male subject who was asleep on the couch from the residence.”
Hammond would not exit the residence.
Officers near the window observed an open pistol case. They could not see a weapon.
“This led officers to believe Hammond was now armed with a pistol,” Lenz said.
While on scene, awaiting a search warrant for Hammond’s apartment, a resident of another apartment informed officers of an attic access, which might allow Hammond to escape his apartment and make entry into any apartment on the second floor.
Lenz reported that officers became concerned that Hammond could escape though the attic and into another apartment, which would allow him the opportunity to ambush those on the scene or flee the area. So officers made entry through a window of an apartment located on the second floor, which was the furthest apartment from Hammond’s.
“Upon entry, in plain view officers observed a SKS style assault rifle propped up against a wall inside the apartment,” Lenz said. “On the floor next to the assault rifle was a 60 round high capacity magazine.”
They also discovered there was no attic access for Hammond to escape. Officers exited and secured the residence in anticipation of a second search warrant.
At this point Gallon approached officers surrounding the building requested entry into the evacuated area to retrieve his dog from his vehicle. An officer escorted Gallon to his vehicle to get his canine. While at his vehicle, Gallon allegedly identified the apartment which contained the rifle as his.
Police were still engaged with Hammond, so they allowed Gallon to retreat safely from the scene.
After a standoff lasting several hours, Hammond surrendered to police and was placed under arrest. During transport to the Lake County Jail, Hammond reportedly threatened to kill the transporting officer and his family upon his release.
Officers searched Hammond’s apartment and quickly located the machete. They did not find any firearms.
Following Hammond’s arrest, the CPD Detective Unit began authoring a search warrant for Gallon’s residence. While awaiting the completion of the search warrant, Gallon arrived back on scene and was taken into custody.
The search warrant was obtained and executed on Gallon’s apartment and vehicle.
“In addition to the SKS Assault Rifle and the 60 round high capacity magazine, officers located a 45 caliber pistol and several rounds of ammunition,” Lenz said. “Located under the driver seat in the vehicle was a loaded 380 caliber pistol.”
Gallon was later booked into the Lake County Jail and faces charges of having a loaded firearm in a vehicle, possession of an un registered firearm, possession of a high capacity magazine, and possession of an assault weapon.
Hammond was booked facing charges of aggravated mayhem, battery with serious bodily injury, assault with a deadly weapon, felony resisting executive officer, hate crime, battery on a person, and two outside agency felony arrest warrants.
The victim wastransported by paramedics from Lake County Fire and Protection District Station 70 to Adventist Health Hospital Clearlake.
There have been no further reports on his condition. The victim’s name is being withheld at this time due to the severity of the crime.
Detectives continue to investigate both incidents. Anyone with information is requested to contact the CPD at 707-994-8251.
“Although it is encouraged for witnesses to identify themselves, those who wish to remain anonymous may do so,” Lenz explained.
