On August 13, 2017, at 4:15 p.m., Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office deputies were dispatched to a weapons offense call in the 3000 block of Chippewa Drive, Prescott. A neighbor in the area reported seeing an adult female yelling and waving a firearm from the balcony of a home.
A Yavapai County Sheriff’s Office (YCSO) deputy arrived within minutes and did not initially see the suspect as he waited for assisting units. A short time later, the deputy saw a man enter the concerned property from the street and after a few moments passed, a woman exited the driveway of the home in a very agitated state holding an object in her hand. She then took a combative stance and pointed what the deputy now believed was a firearm in his direction. The deputy maintained his distance, sought cover, and attempted to communicate with the woman due to concern she might reenter the apparently occupied home.
Now armed and maintaining cover, the deputy continued to engage the woman who was flailing her arms and still holding a handgun. As the deputy moved for additional cover while maintaining a visual of the woman at gunpoint, she dropped the handgun. She ignored further commands and simply sat on the curb. As the deputy approached her, she stood and began walking towards the house. When the deputy made contact, she began reaching for the firearm now on the ground and said “Please shoot me.” The deputy was able to restrain and handcuff the woman and prevent access to the weapon.
The deputy examined the handgun and determined it was actually a pellet gun. Additional deputies then arrived and were able to assist in keeping the suspect, identified as 60-year-old Anastasia Sinclair, under control. She was eventually placed in a patrol vehicle.
Sinclair’s husband then came out of the home and indicated he and his wife were arguing about their pending divorce prior to the arrival of deputies. Sinclair had been drinking and threatened him throughout the ordeal. He also acknowledged some ongoing mental health concerns involving Sinclair. 2 other women, both family members, were in the home at the time. Witnesses told deputies they thought Sinclair was going to shoot them and the deputies.
Sinclair was booked into the Camp Verde Detention Center and released the following day for a mental health evaluation. The County Attorney verified the filing of charges on this matter which include Aggravated Assault, Aggravated Assault per Domestic Violence x2, and Disorderly Conduct per Domestic Violence.