Standoff in Big River leads to domestic violence arrest

A man was arrested Wednesday in Big River for assaulting his girlfriend and pointing a firearm at her and their children, threatening to kill them.

Deputies from the San Bernardino County Sheriff’s Department Colorado River Station responded to the 7300 Block of Oneida Trail in Big River for a domestic battery investigation involving Christopher Worthy and his live-in girlfriend. During the investigation, deputies learned that Worthy was armed with a handgun and he threatened to kill himself and shoot at deputies if they came to his home.

Deputies arrived at the home and found him hiding in a shed on the property. Worthy refused to come out peacefully and threatened to kill the deputies and himself. While deputies were attempting to talk Worthy out of the shed, he fired a single shot from his handgun.

Deputies negotiated with Worthy for several hours until the Sheriff’s Specialized Enforcement Division arrived. SWAT deputies were able to talk Worthy out of the shed and he was taken into custody, unharmed.

Several firearms and an explosive device were found inside the shed and home. One of the firearms was found to have been previously reported as stolen. During the search of the property, deputies also located drug paraphernalia consistent with methamphetamine use. Detectives from the Sheriff’s Bomb and Arson Division responded to render the explosive device safe.