On 01-05-2016 at about 2:48 p.m., Richland Police responded
to the area of Williams Blvd. and Stevens Dr. for a 911-reported suspicious
male with a sword call. Updated
information placed the male at the CUP Church and in the area of a
daycare. The male, later identified as
twenty-nine-year-old Steven L. Houtrouw, was attempting to force entry into the
building by pounding on the exterior windows and doors of the daycare with the
sword. The daycare was placed into a
Critical Lockdown and Houtrouw walked from the area.
RPD officers began searching the area and located Houtrouw
in the 1100 block of Long Ave. at Christ the King School. The male was still wielding the katana-style
sword and appeared to be an emotionally disturbed person (EDP). Christ the King School was placed into a
Critical Lockdown.
Officers attempted to calm Houtrouw down and gain control of
him, but he refused to put the sword down.
Houtrouw expressed thoughts of suicidal ideation and yelled at the
officers to shoot him. Unable to
de-escalate the emotionally charged Houtrouw, Officers deployed ECW’s (AKA
Taser’s) on Houtrouw. Houtrouw dropped
the sword and was taken to the ground by Officers, where he continued to resist
efforts to control him. Additional
Officers arrived and Houtrouw was taken into custody without further incident.
Once Houtrouw is medically cleared at Kadlec, he will be
booked into the Benton County Jail on multiple charges for the attempted Burglary
and Weapons violations. The case will be
forwarded for evaluation by Designated Mental Health Professionals.
Questions or comments can be directed to Lt. Curtis Smith at
csmith@ci.richland.wa.us.
