On the morning of March 21, 2014, Tucson Police officers responded to the 6200 block of East Pima Street reference a possible suicidal subject. Family members told police that their relative, 35-year-old Juan Jose Ortega, had made suicidal statements to them and had left westbound on foot.
Officers searched the area and located Ortega on East Pima Street, who matched the description given. As officers approached him to check his welfare, he pulled out a large knife and attempted to stab one of the officers in the head. He then waived the knife at a second officer while trying to get away.
Ortega fled westbound where he was contained in the front yard of a residence in the 5700 block of East Pima Street. Ortega was holding the knife at his chest and was refusing to put it down.
Additional resources were requested to assist with the situation. The Tucson Police Department’s Hostage Negotiation Unit, SWAT Team, K-9 Unit and Mental Health Support Team all responded to help bring the situation to a peaceful resolution. The Pima County Sheriff’s Department also assisted with traffic control in the area.
After several hours, Hostage Negotiators were able to convince Ortega to put down his weapon and surrender to police. Ortega was taken into custody without incident. Ortega was transported and booked into the Pima County Jail on one count of Aggravated Assault on a Peace Officer with a Dangerous Instrument.