California man, 56, dies by suicide during six-hour standoff with police after his estranged wife claimed he had poured gasoline on her and threatened to set her on fire
- Richard Herrera, 56, died of an apparent suicide after he barricaded himself inside his home in Corona, California on Saturday
- His estranged wife had called police about a physical altercation with Herrera
- She claimed that he assaulted her before threatening to set her on fire
- Police said Herrera refused to comply with officer orders so they evacuated the neighborhood and called in a hostage negotiation team
- After a six-hour standoff, officers entered the home and found Herrera dead
A Southern California man died by suicide during an hourslong standoff with police after his estranged wife called 911 and claimed that he had threatened to light her on fire.
Police in Corona responded to the woman’s 911 call on Saturday at around 4.20pm, according to a press release.
The alleged victim said that her husband, 56-year-old Richard Herrera had physically assaulted her, poured gasoline on her body and threatened to light her on fire.
Officers on the scene ordered Herrera, who had barricaded himself in the garage, to come out, at which point he doused himself in what appeared to be gasoline before retreating into the house.
A Southern California man died by suicide during an hourslong standoff with police after his estranged wife called 911 and claimed that he had threatened to light her on fire. The street in Corona where the altercation took place is pictured above
Authorities responded by evacuating the surrounding area and called in a hostage negotiation team, the Corona Fire Department and a special response team.
‘All subsequent attempts to contact Richard and negotiate his surrender were met with negative results,’ the City of Corona Police Department said in the news release.
After a six-hour standoff, officers entered the home and found Herrera dead of an apparent suicide. No more details about the cause of death were revealed.
The woman, who has not been identified, was treated for minor injuries.
Police asked anyone with information about the incident to call Lt Paul Mercado at 951-736-2345 or email Paul.Mercado@CoronaCA.gov.