A call of a verbal disturbance at a Turlock home escalated into a hostage situation that saw two people sustain major injuries during the ordeal and the suspect arrested for a multitude of offenses, including attempted homicide.

The suspect was identified by the Turlock Police Department as Gerardo Partida, 26 of Turlock.

The incident began at 7:46 p.m. Monday when the police department received a call from a woman at a residence in the 1700 block of Elmcrest Court, stating that Partida was at the home and was threatening to assault her. The woman told police dispatch that Partida was under the influence of narcotics and was known to carry a firearm.

The woman and another individual, who was a relative of Partida’s, were able to lock themselves in a bedroom, away from the suspect.

“Partida continued to make threats of violence through the locked door,” said Turlock Police spokeswoman Dominique Sanchez in a news release.

Officers arrived at the home and were trying to deescalate the situation by having Partida come out of the home on his own accord, but he refused.

The woman and the other individual were able to climb out a bedroom window to safety and met with the officers, which is when the police department learned that there were two other people in the home with Partida — his 78-year-old grandmother and his 46-year-old uncle.

“Officers made multiple attempts to contact Partida and the other family members through various measures in order to determine if they were held hostage but were unsuccessful,” Sanchez said.

At 12:32 a.m. Tuesday, the Turlock Police Department deployed their Critical Response Team, which consists of the Special Weapons and Tactics and Hostage Negotiations Team.

Several more attempts to contact Partida and the family members were made, with no success.

“During the course of the incident, information was developed that the family members were, in fact, being held against their will by Partida and they were in immediate danger of physical violence by Partida,” Sanchez said.

S.W.A.T. team members forced entry into the residence and rescued both family members from Partida’s control. Both victims were immediately transported to local hospitals for major injuries inflicted by Partida. The police department did not say if the injuries occurred before S.W.A.T. entered the home or as they were entering, stating the investigation is ongoing.

 “Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims as they continue undergoing care for their significant injuries at a Modesto area hospital,” Turlock Police Chief Jason Hedden said.

Partida was placed under arrest for two counts of attempted homicide, two counts of false imprisonment, two counts of terrorist threats, and one count of elder abuse and was booked into the Stanislaus County Public Safety Facility. He also had a felony no-bail warrant for his arrest, and was on post-release community supervision.

A weapon was recovered at the home, but the police department did not elaborate on what kind of weapon.

The Turlock Police Department ask that anyone with information on this case to call Detective Frank Navarro at (209) 664-7319. You can also contact the Turlock Police Department’s Tip Line at (209) 668-5550 extension 6780 or email at tpdtipline@turlock.ca.us.