Sunriver assault suspect who fled into home, talked of guns, dead people arrested by SWAT after 7-hour standoff

(Update: No guns, 'dead people' found in home; adding name, charges)

SUNRIVER, Ore. (KTVZ) – A Salem man allegedly punched someone in the face in an unprovoked assault on a Sunriver street Thursday afternoon, threatening to kill the victim, then ran into an unoccupied home, telling police about guns and possible dead people inside. That prompted a SWAT team call-out and “shelter in place” warning to area residents until the team entered the home and arrested him seven hours later.

Sunriver Police and Deschutes County sheriff’s deputies responded around 1:45 p.m. to the reported unprovoked assault in the area of Whistling Swan Lane in the resort community, police administrative assistant Katie Warren said.

The suspect, identified as Alexander Collin Eaton, 32, of Salem struck the victim in the face, “causing significant injury,” then threatened to kill him, Warren said in a news release late Thursday night. The suspect, then fled into an unlocked and apparently unoccupied nearby home. He also “made statements to officers on scene pertaining to firearms and reported possible dead people in the house,” she said.

Deschutes County 911 sent ‘shelter in place’ alerts to Sunriver-area residents around 2:40 p.m., advising them to avoid Circle 5 due to a heavy police presence. Meanwhile law enforcement established a perimeter and asked the public to avoid the area.

Due to the circumstances, the Deschutes County SWAT Team, including an armored vehicle, responded to help apprehend the suspect.

“Law enforcement personnel continued to work for seven hours toward a peaceful resolution,” Warren said. “Multiple and various negotiation attempts were made to contact (the man), without success.”

Shortly before 9 p.m., the DCSO SWAT Team made entry into the residence and took Eaton into custody. He was arrested and lodged in the county jail in Bend on one count each of first-degree burglary, third-degree assault and first-degree criminal trespass.

Eaton was arraigned Friday on two Class A misdemeanors, fourth-degree assault and criminal trespass, and a hearing is set for April 1 on whether he's able to aid and assist in his own defense.

Around 9:30 p.m. Thursday, an updated notice to residents said the man was in custody: "There is no threat to the public. The 'Shelter In Place' notification has been lifted and residents may return to their homes."

Warren said Friday that no firearms or dead or injured people were found in the home.

She said Sunriver police wanted to thank the sheriff’s office “for its response and assistance in this matter.”