Location: 32500 block of Grandview Road, Visalia
Incident Date: 12-27-17
Incident Time: 1626 hours
Case Number: 17-15626
City: Visalia
Posted by: Dispatch
********************************UPDATE**************************************************
Suspect: Juan Delgado
On 1-02-18, an autopsy was performed and the cause of death was from a self-inflicted gunshot wound. It was ruled as suicide.
********************************Original Press Release**********************************
On Wednesday, 12-27-17 at 4:26 p.m., Tulare County Sheriff’s Office patrol deputies were dispatched to a residence in the 32500 block of Grandview Road, Visalia, for a disturbance involving a firearm by a man identified as Juan Delgado, 35 years old.
Upon the arrival of deputies, they encountered persons related to Delgado stating he was in possession of a firearm, made criminal threats to an undisclosed 15-year-old female, in addition to other felony criminal allegations.
As patrol was on scene, they determined Delgado had barricaded himself within the residence in the company of a 59-year-old male family member.
Negotiations were initiated and Delgado failed to comply with lawful orders to exit the residence. Tulare County Sheriff’s Office SWAT & Hostage Negotiators were summoned, along with personnel from Sheriff Boudreaux’s UAV program.
After a couple hours of negotiations, the older male exited the residence unharmed and it was determined he was not an actual hostage, but was voluntarily inside the residence attempting to get Delgado to not harm himself or others, and to peacefully surrender to law enforcement. Negotiators were successful in convincing the 59 year old male to exit the residence for his own welfare, however Delgado continued to refuse lawful orders, remained barricaded and discontinued further communication.
At about 10:40 p.m., it is believed Delgado ignited a fire within the residence. Tulare County Fire was on scene as a precaution and extinguished the fire with cover from the Sheriff’s Office Bearcat. Once the fire was extinguished, Delgado was located within the residence deceased.
An autopsy will be performed at a later date to determine the exact cause of death. The Tulare County Sheriff’s Office Cyber & Forensic Investigations Unit, along with Tulare County Arson Investigators are assisting with the investigation.
Anyone with information is encouraged to call the Tulare County Sheriff’s Office at (559) 733-6218 or send anonymous information by sending a text or email to TCSO@tipnow.com or call (559) 725-4194.