Charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, making criminal threats and possession of an explosive device were filed Wednesday against a Palm Springs resident who allegedly barricaded himself inside his home after assaulting a man.
James Hardwick, 35, is accused of striking the unidentified victim in the head with a blunt object, then holing up inside his residence in the 400 block of West Dominguez Road for several hours before surrendering to police last weekend.
Palm Springs officers responded just after noon Saturday to a call regarding a man with a “moderate head injury,” who was allegedly struck by Hardwick.
The suspect allegedly barricaded himself inside his home, as police were receiving “information that the suspect possibly armed himself with explosives,” prompting a bomb squad and SWAT team response.
Hardwick surrendered after talking with crisis negotiators over the phone, police said. The residence was checked for explosives and determined to be safe, police said, though the criminal complaint alleges that Hardwick was in possession of an unspecified explosive device.
Hardwick, who’s being held in lieu of $1 million bail, pleaded not guilty and is slated to return to court Dec. 31 for a felony settlement conference.