Image sent to CHS by a resident in a neighboring building of SWAT officers outside the Holiday Apartments building during Saturday’s lockdown

Police say the multi-hour search and standoff at a Capitol Hill apartment building last Saturday night was sparked by gunfire from a fourth floor balcony that damaged two apartment units and the gunman’s threat against a building resident who came into the building hallway only to find the suspect pointing a gun at him.

Nile Wenzlick, 58, has been charged with second degree assault, malicious mischief, and one count of discharging a firearm in the incident that played out after reports of gunfire from a balcony of the Holiday Apartments at 10th and John.

During the outburst, police say Wenzlick fired shots that damaged a fourth and second floor apartment unit before knocking on the door of a second floor unit. The resident told police he opened his door and saw his third floor neighbor standing in front of his doorway with a pistol at his hip, pointing the gun directly at the man. The resident quickly slammed and locked the door.

Following the reported gunfire just before 6 PM, responding police locked down the blocks around the building and Capitol Hill Station as they searched for a man matching the suspect description provided by witnesses. There were no reported injuries from the shooting.

At least two people were taken into custody from inside the building by police and released before SWAT and negotiators made contact with Wenzlick around 8 PM.

As the search shifted to different floors of the four-story apartment building, police said that the suspect had made contact but was no longer answering his phone. The search transitioned into a standoff with police working to contact the man inside his third floor unit where he was reportedly suffering a mental crisis. Meanwhile, parts of the building near his unit were cleared.

Wenzlick was taken into custody without incident just before 10 PM, surrendering after SWAT deployed gas into the unit. Seattle Fire was called to the scene to treat the suspect for exposure to oleoresin capsicum, the active ingredient in pepper spray. Earlier in the incident, loud explosions were reported as flash bang grenades were deployed to try to stir Wenzlick from the unit.

Meanwhile, police found evidence from the shooting including at least one shell casing outside the building. According to court documents, police also recovered bullet fragments from the two damaged units, and recovered two handguns and ammunition from Wenzlick’s residence.

The police report does not include any interview with Wenzlick or explanation for what may have led to the gunfire. He has been a resident of the apartment building since at least 2008 according to state records. A search of King County and Seattle court records show no recent run-ins with the law and no criminal history for the suspect. According to police, the Wenzlick was experiencing delusions and an apparent mental crisis during the incident.

Wenzlick remains in King County Jail on $100,000 bail. He has not yet entered a plea on the charges.

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