A Cottonwood man, Clint Piper, has been arrested after he threatened police officers with a loaded shotgun.
According to the Cottonwood Police Department, on Sunday night officers responded to several shots fired calls in the area of the 900 block of South 4th Street. Initially officers were unable to locate anything to substantiate these calls. The officers remained in the area and were soon approached by an adult female subject wearing pajamas and no shoes.
The woman ran up to the officers in a frantic state and began making statements about someone chasing her with a gun. She was transported to the Cottonwood Police Department where she provided an address in the area of the 1100 block of South Ocotillo Drive in Cottonwood where the incident occurred. She also identified the 58-year-old Piper as the suspect.
Officers learned there was a domestic dispute involving the woman and Piper. They also found that another man that resides at this location was a victim as well. Piper was said to have physically assaulted the female and made threats towards both her and the man, who is Piper’s roommate, with a gun.
Officers immediately drove to the residence on Ocotillo Drive in an attempt to contact Piper and verify the other person residing at this location was not harmed.
When officers arrived and knocked and announced at the door, Piper answered the door, and then slammed it shut.
Officers could then hear Piper rack a round into a shotgun and followed by sticking the shotgun out the front door.
Officers set up a perimeter around the residence and deployed Verde Valley S.W.A.T. Piper was said to have made comments about shooting anyone that comes through the door.
When attempting to make the arrest, Piper came outside but continued to refuse commands. S.W.A.T. operators deployed a less lethal shotgun. Piper sustained minor injuries during this arrest. The roommate was located uninjured just a short distance down the road. The roommate said he fled the residence to avoid being assaulted with the firearm.
Cottonwood detectives conducted a search of the residence and seized several firearms to include a shotgun and discovered evidence that a firearm had been discharged within the residence.
Piper was booked into the Yavapai County Detention Center in Camp Verde. He was charged with Aggravated Assault, Threatening or Intimidating and Disorderly Conduct with Deadly Weapon.