A Vancouver man appeared in Clark County Superior Court on Monday in connection with a six-hour standoff with police who were responding to reports that he was armed and threatening to harm a family member and himself.
James M. Kalasky, 32, faces charges of first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, felony harassment (death threats) and unlawful imprisonment.
Judge Scott Collier held him in lieu of $100,000 bail and appointed Vancouver attorney Nick Wood to defend him. He is scheduled to be arraigned on the charges Aug. 29.
The standoff began at 7:30 p.m. Thursday when Clark County sheriff’s deputies were called to check on a man at 17410 N.E. Stoney Meadows Drive. Patrol deputies were told the man was armed with a rifle, had made threats toward his 64-year-old father and was suicidal.
Earlier that day, Kalasky’s psychologist stopped by the residence after Kalasky sent him a picture of bullets and stated “he was done,” according to the court affidavit.
Kalasky told the psychologist “to leave and if anyone else comes by to check on him they will run into a bullet,” the affidavit says.
He reportedly assaulted and pinned down his father, with whom he lives, court records say.
When deputies arrived, Kalasky allegedly pointed the rifle at deputies and refused to come out of the house or lay down his weapon.
Deputies evacuated the home and called for the SWAT team and a crisis negotiator.
The standoff ended at 1:45 a.m. when SWAT team members were able to distract Kalasky with a flash-bang grenade and arrest him, according to a sheriff’s office news release. Court records state that Kalasky has an opiate habit and mental health issues.
