By Pleasant Hill Police Department
On Friday, December 8, 2023 at approximately 11:45 PM, the Central County SWAT team, and crisis negotiators responded to the 200 block of Cleopatra Drive. The husband from the previous incident, Chunliam Nai Saechao (40 years old), was determined to be a danger to the public and a felony warrant was obtained for his arrest. During the day, information was gathered from social media and other investigative means, which led to this decision.
A shelter in place was issued for the Sherman Oaks neighborhood.
Saturday morning at around 7:52 am Chunliam Saechao exited his residence and surrendered to the FBI SWAT Team without further incident. The FBI SWAT team was summoned early this morning to relieve Central County SWAT who intended to return to the scene at 2:00 pm, if necessary. Mr. Saechao will be booked on several felonies to include assault with a deadly weapon and attempted homicide on a police officer.
According to a CBS News Bay Area report, Saechao communicated with police through social media. “During the standoff, he posted videos to social media wearing a bulletproof vest and holding an assault rifle. One message posted online said, ‘Anyone try to break into my home is going to be killed and I will have no remorse because I did a good thing to rid evil.’”
We acknowledge this prolonged and serious event caused great disruption and stoked fear within the Sherman Acres neighborhood and the surrounding community. De-escalation tactics, including disengagement, are routinely utilized in hope for peaceful resolutions, such as this one. Even after disengaging with the suspect during the early morning hours of December 8, the community’s safety and security was consistently monitored and constantly assessed. Police officers remained ready in the area, and we continued to monitor Mr. Saechao’s social media activity. We are relieved that the tactics employed led to a peaceful resolution, avoiding any bodily injuries or fatalities to members of law enforcement or the surrounding community.
According to the Contra Costa Sheriff’s Office, Saechao is being held in the Martinez Detention Facility on no bail.
Allen D. Payton contributed to this report.
Leave a Reply