Gering Hostage Standoff Ends Safely After Nearly 29 Hours

       An armed hostage standoff between police and a man barricaded in a Gering home ended safely after nearly 29 hours Wednesday night. 

     37-year old Bradley Garcia was taken into custody when he walked out of the house just after 8:00 pm. He was taken to Regional West Medical Center with minor injuries.

     Garcia had released his hostage, his sister-in-law, about 1:30 in the afternoon, but ignored repeated orders over the next 7 hours to surrender.

      KNEB News reported periodic explosions believed to be flash-bang and concussion grenades, including most of the 2:00 hour and around 4:30 before a final barrage around 7:30 accompanied by officers yellowing at Garcia. 

     Authorities said the incident started around 3:00 pm Tuesday when Garcia refused to stop just west of Gering for a traffic violation based on the vehicle’s possible connection to stolen guns. It was later determined he also had an outstanding arrest warrant.

     Scotts Bluff County Sheriff’s deputies began a pursuit on Five Rocks Road, during which Garcia shot at a cruiser. The pursuit moved onto city streets before Garcia crashed his car into the garage at his brother’s home.

       He went into the house, which was occupied by his sister-in-law and her two daughters. Garcia released the girls about 2 hours later. 

     A social media video, streamed live from inside the home, captured Garcia having his sister-in-law call dispatchers and tell them that he wanted officers to back off at least a block or he would fire at them with a high-powered rifle. 

     Garcia told the dispatcher he had one officer in his scope’s crosshairs and he would shoot them if they didn’t back away. He also demanded to talk to the FBI because his civil rights had been violated. 

     The first FBI agents arrived late Tuesday night, followed by an FBI tactical unit overnight and by a hostage-negotiation team from Virginia about noon Wednesday. Garcia released his sister-in-law around 1:30 pm 

     Gering schools went on lockdown about 3:30 Tuesday and classes were canceled Wednesday out of what district officials called “an abundance of caution” because the safety of staff and students is the district’s priority. Regular schedules will resume Thursday.