A man armed with a knife barricaded himself inside a business in Fullerton Sunday as at least one employee fled and called 911, authorities said.
The man vandalized the business, located in the 100 block of West Orangethorpe Avenue, and refused officers’ commands to surrender, according to spokeswoman Kristy Wells of the Fullerton Police Department. A SWAT unit had taken over negotiations and was attempting to persuade the man to surrender peacefully as of Sunday afternoon.
No injuries were immediately reported. An employee inside the business escaped safely before the suspect barricaded himself inside, Wells said.
Nearby businesses were evacuated as a precaution, and Orangethorpe Avenue remained closed between Harbor Boulevard and Highland Avenue.
Police said the motive for the incident was not immediately known.
Online reports indicated the business was a smoke shop.