
Sentinel staff report–
Heavy police presence with armored vehicles and helicopter activity near Sunrise Boulevard and Old Auburn Road could be seen Monday night as police responded to reports of an armed domestic violence suspect in the area, with the suspect winding up on a rooftop for at least two hours.

In an Oct. 22 news release, Citrus Heights Police said officers initially responded to a domestic violence call in the 7500 block of Tiara Way at 4:40 p.m. The victim, a woman, reported that her boyfriend, identified as 41-year-old Justin Phillips, had assaulted her and threatened her with a knife.
Officers arrived to find the victim suffering from a head laceration. Phillips had fled the scene on foot before officers arrived, prompting a search of the area.
Later that evening, around 7:45 p.m., witnesses reported spotting Phillips near the 7500 block of Sunrise Boulevard. When officers located him, Phillips fled into a nearby senior living facility and made his way onto the roof. Police “engaged in dialogue” with Phillips, who was reportedly acting erratically and appeared to be “under the influence of a controlled substance,” according to the release.
While on the roof, Phillips allegedly brandished what was believed to be a black firearm and threatened to detonate an explosive device. Officers later determined that the firearm was a replica. Police said Phillips also threatened to detonate an explosive device and pointed the firearm at multiple officers on the scene.
The suspect’s actions prompted three CHPD officers to fire at him, police said. Phillips was wounded and dropped what was believed to be the firearm.
After two hours of negotiating with the suspect, police said a CHPD Crisis Negotiation and SWAT teams convinced Phillips to come down from the roof. Phillips allegedly continued to resist arrest, leading officers to use “less-than-lethal munitions and a police canine” to subdue him, police said. He was transported to a local hospital with non-life-threatening injuries, including a dog bite.
Sacramento Metro Fire District officials confirmed Tuesday morning that they “provided assistance to CHPD during a law enforcement related incident.”
A portion of Sunrise Boulevard was closed at Old Auburn Road for several hours overnight while police continued to investigate, according to witnesses and local news reports.
Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office, Citrus Heights Police Department, Folsom Police Department, and Roseville Police Department were confirmed to be on scene assisting, according to one local news agency, who also reported that the building had been fully evacuated during the standoff.
Residents reported on social media that at least one helicopter, and several armored BearCat vehicles were on scene, along with K9 units. A helicopter reportedly could be heard asking residents to “shelter in place.”
Phillips, who was reportedly on parole for burglary and probation for drug-related charges, was booked into the Sacramento County Main Jail on multiple charges, including armed robbery, domestic battery, and assault with a deadly weapon. The investigation is ongoing, and additional charges may be added.
The Citrus Heights Police Department confirmed that the three officers involved in the shooting have been placed on paid administrative leave in accordance with department policy. Investigators from the Sacramento County District Attorney’s Office and the Sacramento County Crime Lab are assisting in the investigation.
Heavy police presence with armored vehicles and helicopter activity near Sunrise Boulevard and Old Auburn Road could be seen Monday night as police responded to reports of an armed domestic violence suspect in the area,
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