Suspect Arrested After Domestic Violence Assault, Threats and SWAT Response in Kelso

KELSO, Wash. — A man was arrested early Monday after allegedly assaulting his girlfriend, making threats to shoot people and barricading himself inside a Kelso residence, according to police.

At about 2:39 a.m. on September 28, 2026, Longview Police officers responded to a reported domestic violence assault in Longview. The suspect, identified as Juan Artemio Castillo, allegedly assaulted his girlfriend and threatened to “shoot up the place.” Castillo also allegedly threatened people at the scene with a knife.

Police said Castillo then fled the Longview area in a vehicle.

Kelso police entered the vehicle’s license plate into the department’s automated license plate reader system. At approximately 3:14 a.m., officers were notified that the vehicle had been detected entering Kelso.

Kelso officers located the vehicle about five minutes later. It was parked and unoccupied at a residence in the 1100 block of N. 1st Avenue.

Officers from Kelso and Longview, along with the Washington State Patrol and Cowlitz County Sheriff’s Office, established a containment perimeter around the residence. Officers made repeated announcements over a public-address system ordering Castillo to exit the home and surrender.

According to police, Castillo came outside several times but did not comply with officers’ commands and returned inside the residence.

The Lower Columbia SWAT team was then activated and responded to the scene.

At approximately 5:20 a.m., Castillo exited the residence and surrendered to officers. He was taken into custody without further incident.

Castillo was booked into the Cowlitz County Jail on allegations including second-degree assault/domestic violence, felony harassment/domestic violence, obstructing, resisting arrest, and a fugitive arrest warrant.

The charges are allegations, and Castillo is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.