A domestic assault call on South Shenandoah Avenue in Front Royal escalated into an hours-long standoff Monday afternoon after a suspect armed himself with a knife, threatened officers and began setting objects on fire inside the residence.

Front Royal Police responded to the 100 block of South Shenandoah Avenue around 3:46 p.m. on February 23 and found an adult male victim inside with facial injuries. The victim was taken to Warren Memorial Hospital for treatment.

The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Drew Richard Winder of St. Louis, Missouri, fled to an upstairs bedroom where he armed himself with a knife and other objects, threatened to harm officers and barricaded himself inside. Police evacuated other occupants of the home as well as residents from neighboring properties.

Negotiators from the Front Royal Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff’s Office attempted to communicate with Winder, but he refused to cooperate. As specialized units continued trying to talk him out, Winder lit objects on fire and threw them down the stairwell toward officers. Personnel on scene quickly removed and extinguished the burning items.

After obtaining a search warrant and multiple arrest warrants, and following repeated unsuccessful attempts to get Winder to surrender voluntarily, officers deployed gas canisters into the residence. Winder exited seconds later and was taken into custody without injury.

He was transported to Warren Memorial Hospital for precautionary evaluation before being taken to RSW Regional Jail, where he is being held without bond. Charges include malicious wounding, four counts of threatening bodily harm to law enforcement, assault and battery on a law enforcement officer, and burning or destroying a dwelling.

The Front Royal Police Department credited the Warren County Sheriff’s Office and Warren County Fire and Rescue for their assistance during the incident.

Information from a release.