Alleged assault at party leads to heavy police response

Residents in a typically quiet Citrus Heights neighborhood were treated to an unexpected Halloween surprise on Saturday when more than a dozen police officers arrived with handguns and rifles drawn outside a home on Sungarden Drive, responding to a possible domestic violence assault during a party at the residence.

Police said they received a call around 11:25 a.m. Saturday, reporting that a female had been assaulted by an ex-boyfriend with a baseball bat during a Friday-night party.

Responding officers used a megaphone to order those inside to exit the home, several of whom were observed walking out with their hands behind their heads. A lieutenant on scene said about eight people were detained – two of whom were found still sleeping when a four-man police team entered the home to conduct a “protective sweep” shortly after 1 p.m.

The lieutenant, Chad Courtney, said the “possible suspect” involved was not found inside and said police are currently gathering witness statements to determine “if a crime actually occurred.”

According to Lt. Courtney, fire department personnel at the scene believed the female’s injuries were “inconsistent” with how she said she was injured. He also said other potential witnesses were “still intoxicated,” making it difficult to determine what happened.

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Courtney said officers responded with a heavy presence due to the initial call alleging “assault with a deadly weapon.” Currently, he said it looks more like “possibly a simple assault, if not something less.”

He said the involved female is currently in the hospital for minor injuries.

Update: As of 4:30 p.m. Saturday, a patrol sergeant reached by phone said additional details could not be released, pending a police investigation expected to be completed by next week. He said arrests could be made based on the outcome of the investigation, but confirmed that no arrests have been made at this point.