Attempted murder suspect barricaded inside California motel room

An attempted murder suspect has barricaded himself inside a motel room in Southern California, leading to a SWAT response, according to police. A woman who was inside the room walked out and was taken into custody.

The incident began Sunday morning at a Motel 6 on North Harbor Boulevard in Santa Ana, about 30 miles southeast of Los Angeles, where police said SWAT officers and crisis negotiators were working to take the suspect into custody.

Santa Ana police initially said the suspect was holding a woman hostage inside the room, according to KABC. Police later told the station that the woman was not being held hostage, was inside the room willingly and was not in danger.

“The wanted suspect and a woman, believed to be a willing participant, remain barricaded inside the hotel room,” police said in an update at 11:30 a.m. local time. “Crisis negotiators are maintaining communication and continue working toward a peaceful resolution and voluntary surrender.”

About 25 minutes later, police said the woman stepped out of the room and was taken into custody. The suspect remains inside and continues to refuse to come out.

The relationship between the suspect and the woman was not immediately clear. Police have not released the suspect’s identity.

Harbor Boulevard was closed between 17th Street and Washington Avenue while officers remained at the scene. Police asked the public to avoid the area and use alternate routes.