Accused Shooter Held After 5-Hour Standoff

TOPANGA —  A 50-year-old man described as a troubled groundskeeper who last summer ran the streets nude was arrested Tuesday on suspicion of firing a semiautomatic assault rifle into the air and then refusing to surrender to police during a five-hour standoff, authorities said.

The man, Christopher “Kit” Colvig, was taken into custody about 10 a.m. by members of the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s SWAT team at his residence in the 1500 block of Valley Drive. Neighbors had called police to report gunfire about 5 a.m.

SWAT team members arrived to assist deputies about 9:15 a.m., Lt. Ray Baytos said. About 45 minutes later, police threw a “flash bang” grenade, a small explosive, to divert Colvig’s attention as they entered his property.

Colvig emerged with a screwdriver and fled into his frontyard, where deputies wrestled him to the ground, said Sheriff’s Department spokesman William Martin. Colvig suffered a split upper lip during the scuffle, Martin said.

“He was partially clothed,” said Lt. Mike Ford. “If you guys want to put down he was wearing a woman’s bra, that is your choice.”

Sgt. Richard Dinsmoor said authorities do not know whether Colvig is suffering from any mental illness.

Officers were called to the neighborhood last summer after complaints from neighbors, Baytos said. Next-door neighbor Steve Ray said Colvig had run nude through the neighborhood throwing rocks at cars.

“We always were never sure about his behavior,” Ray said. “He definitely has a problem.”

Neighbor Tony Dow, who played Wally Cleaver on the 1950s TV series “Leave It to Beaver,” said of Colvig: “Obviously he’s crying out for help.”

The standoff began when Colvig allegedly fired several shots from his home, described by authorities as a former “tack house,” once used to store gear for horses.

Ray said no one should be living in the structure because it has no bathroom. Ray, too, was awakened by the sound of gunshots, he said.

“He was firing a bunch of rounds, about eight,” Ray said. “I know him. He wouldn’t hurt a flea.”

Ray said Colvig worked taking care of his landlord’s property. Police said he was unemployed.

Colvig was charged with illegally discharging a firearm into the air, assault with a deadly weapon on a police officer and narcotics possession, Dinsmoor said.

He was taken to County/USC Medical Center, with bail set at $25,000.