Man surrenders after eight-hour standoff (Army Ranger, 2 tours in Iraq)

[IndianaGreen]

Man surrenders after eight-hour standoff

Updated: Sep 29, 2009 9:39 PM EDT


Sgt. Carrera (picture courtesy National Guard)

Indianapolis - Police took an Indiana National Guardsman to the hospital following a stand-off with police downtown.

It happened near the IUPUI campus at the Lockefield Gardens Apartments. It happened in the 700 block of West Walnut on the west side of downtown, located between Wishard Hospital and IUPUI. SWAT teams, IMPD and IUPUI campus police were on the scene for several hours.

Police say the man was under an unusual amount of stress since returning from Iraq and that may have led to the SWAT situation.

Sgt. Jason Carrera, 26, held officers at bay for hours. Carrera was armed with a rifle. Police negotiators spoke through a robot sent into his apartment.

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Sgt. Carrera is an IUPUI student trying to get into nursing school. A former Army Ranger, he just returned eight months ago after serving two tours in Iraq. One of his best friends whom he served with committed suicide recently. His truck was car jacked last week and he was served with divorce papers Monday night.

Armed, angry and alone, Carrera sat in his apartment. SWAT waited outside, trying to open communications.

"Everyone we've talked to who worked with him say he's a good guy. The Guard says he is a very good guy. He's had trouble adjusting when he gets back. Definitely post traumatic issues," said Lt. Duhamell.

http://www.wthr.com/global/story.asp?s=11215689