PORT ANGELES — What began as a domestic violence report ended in a standoff with law enforcement that lasted more than 22 hours on the Lower Elwha Klallam reservation Thursday.
Peter Stephan III, 41, was arrested when he came out of his home at 702 Ranger Road after an FBI SWAT team fired tear gas into the residence at about 2:30 p.m., said FBI spokesman Special Agent Fred Gutt.
“He came out quite promptly,” Gutt said. “It’s really powerful.”
No one appeared to have been severely injured.
The standoff at the reservation west of Port Angeles began at about 4 p.m. Wednesday.
Tribal police reported hearing shots when they arrived to investigate a domestic violence report, Gutt said.
The reservation is federal land, which falls under the FBI’s jurisdiction. Clallam County Sheriff’s deputies also assisted.
Shots fired into trees
Tribal Police Chief Rodney Charles said the shots, which he thought were from a five-shot Derringer handgun, were fired into nearby trees, apparently to prevent police from approaching the house.
Stephan’s wife, Richelle, and 18-year-old daughter, Stephanie, fled the house shortly after police arrived, Gutt said.
Gutt said FBI agents used a loudspeaker to communicate with Stephan, but he refused to come out of the home.
Because there was no phone line to the home, a cell phone was placed at the front door, he said, but Stephan did not use it.
Gutt said the incident ended in the best way possible, with no one else hurt.
“It was potentially dangerous,” he said. “They always end differently. In this case no further incident was the best scenario possible.”
Charles said Richelle suffered an injury to her cheek, and Stephanie possibly had been punched or kicked. Both were taken to Olympic Medical Center.
OMC spokeswoman Rhonda Curry said she couldn’t provide information on their conditions.
Gutt said Stephan also was taken to OMC to ensure that the tear gas had not injured him.
Charles said he was later booked into Clallam County jail.
Federal charges
Gutt said Stephan will face assault charges when he makes an appearance in federal court in Tacoma on Monday.
Additional charges may be added, he said.
Charles said the tribe may issue its own charges against Stephan, but that no decision had been made.
“We need more information from his wife and daughter,” he said.
Charles could not recall if Stephan has a criminal history.
Tribal chairwoman Frances Charles thanked all the agencies involved in the long standoff.
“We’re just gratified for all of the involvement and the cooperation and partnership that had taken place with all of the agencies, and the patience that the community had up there. It was a scary situation.”
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Reporter Tom Callis can be reached at 360-417-3532 or at tom.callis@peninsuladailynews.com.
