Negotiators talk man out of police standoff amid concerns children were present

LAWRENCE, Kan. (KCTV) - Lawrence police say a Saturday evening standoff ended safely for all involved.

According to the Lawrence Police Department, officers were called to a mobile home park near W 33rd Street and Iowa Street around 6:30 p.m. on May 31. Initial reports indicated that two people were arguing about a dog when one of the people threatened the other with a firearm.

By the time officers arrived, the suspect, identified by booking records as 20-year-old Zjaiton L. Lewis, was inside a residence and refused to leave. There were concerns that there were children inside the home, including some of the neighbors’ children, so the officers backed off and brought a negotiator to the scene.

Eventually, LPD said the negotiator convinced Lewis that he would not be hurt if he surrendered. He agreed and was arrested without further incident.

Officers found there were no children inside the residence, only a dog.

Lewis is booked in the Douglas County Correctional Facility on one count of aggravated assault and several charges for failure to appear.

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