Las Cruces police were forced to block off the Sonoma Ranch Golf Course Community and all nearby streets as they moved in on the armed man who had barricaded himself inside an apartment.

Around 10 p.m., police discovered John Salassa, 63, of Las Cruces, armed with a gun inside the Sonoma Springs complex.

Police said Salassa repeatedly threatened to shoot officers. At one point, Salassa did fire a round from a handgun at five SWAT team members who were attempting to make contact with him. Salassa then exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident.

No civilians or officers were struck by the fired round.

Salassa was charged with five counts of aggravated assault upon a peace officer with a deadly weapon, a third degree felony.

He was transported to the Dona Ana County Detention Center on $25,000 bond.

During the standoff, residents who lived in the complex were barred from the area and spent hours stranded in nearby parking lots.

Previous Stories: June 30, 2006: SWAT Situation Blocks Off Community To Residents