Attempted murder suspect in 8-hour barricade at Santa Ana motel surrenders, police say (original) (raw)

An attempted murder suspect barricaded in a Santa Ana motel room for about eight hours on Sunday, May 3, 2026, before surrendering, police said.

About 3:30 a.m., officers were called to the Studio 6 Suites motel at 1501 N. Harbor Blvd., where the suspect refused to come out of a room. A SWAT team was called to the location two hours later.

A woman inside the room with the suspect, who police did not believe was a hostage, gave herself up around noon, police said.

The man surrendered about 12:20 p.m., authorities said.

The suspect was identified as Joseph Angel Palacios, 37, of Santa Ana, said police spokesperson Natalie Garcia.

Palacios is believed to be the primary suspect in an attempted murder reported on Jan. 2, 2026, Garcia said. On January 2, officers responded to a call of an assault with a deadly weapon. The victim reported being beaten by the suspect, later identified as Palacios, according to Garcia.

Early Sunday morning, police learned that he was staying at the motel. They tried to make contact, but he refused to open the door, barricaded himself inside the room and would not surrender, Garcia said.

SWAT and crisis negotiators confirmed that he was inside the room with a woman who was a willing participant in the standoff, Garcia said.

Palacios made threats to officers, but finally surrendered after eight hours of negotiating, she said.

He was booked in jail on suspicion of attempted murder.

The incident prompted temporary road closures along Harbor Boulevard, between 17th St. and Washington Avenue. The roads later reopened.