How a fatal arrow attack led to an hourslong standoff with police and a house engulfed in flames
By Karina Tsui, Zoe Sottile, CNN
(CNN) — A man is facing murder, weapons, and arson charges after authorities say he killed another man with an arrow, then barricaded himself in his home, where several fires were set.
Police were notified around 6:45 p.m. Saturday about a man struck by an arrow in Kearny, New Jersey, a suburb of Newark, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office identified the victim as Pablo Criollo, 45, of Harrison. He was taken to a hospital and pronounced dead shortly after.
Oscar Feijoo, 44, was identified as a person of interest, according to the prosecutor’s office, and officers tried to speak with him at his home.
Over the following hours, into early Sunday, a tense standoff ensued as Hudson County SWAT teams – with drawn guns pointed at the house – repeatedly ordered the suspect to exit. Sirens blared through the neighborhood, and residents were awakened and told to evacuate.
“I heard the guy yelling out, ‘I can’t come out!’ or ‘I can’t do that!’ and then they were like, ‘Come out. We’re here to help you,’” witness Rebecca Szymanski told CNN affiliate WCBS.
Around 5 a.m. Sunday, several fires were ignited within the home, resulting in a multi-alarm fire response, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Some neighbors were told to stay inside while others were evacuated and taken to shelter in a nearby church, WCBS and WABC reported.
“I see a lot of fire engines, police, SWAT, some hummer with a gun,” evacuated resident Neeraj Yadav told WCBS. “I come outside with my kids and I was told to run back in the house, so that’s what I did.”
As SWAT teams negotiated the suspect’s exit, firefighters worked to douse the flames as the home became engulfed by the blaze. Feijoo remained barricaded inside the house for several hours after “fire suppression activities were complete,” according to the prosecutor’s office.
More than 12 hours after the fatal attack, the suspect surrendered, walking out of the home Sunday afternoon. The man, armed with knives, was taken into custody after a brief standoff shortly before 1 p.m., according to the prosecutor’s office.
It’s unclear what exactly led to the deadly arrow attack. The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office is continuing to investigate.
Feijoo has been charged with murder, unlawful possession of a weapon, possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose, and aggravated arson. The prosecutor’s office said additional charges are expected. CNN is working to determine if Feijoo has an attorney.
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