Charges of attempted murder, assault with a deadly weapon, criminal threats, and possession of an explosive device were filed Wednesday against a man accused of assaulting a person, then barricading himself inside his Palm Springs home.
James Hardwick, 35, is accused of striking an unidentified man in the head with a blunt object, then barricading himself inside his residence in the 400 block of West Dominguez Road for several hours before surrendering to police.
Palm Springs officers responded just after noon Saturday for a man suffering a “moderate head injury,” who was allegedly struck by Hardwick.
The suspect then allegedly barricaded himself inside his home, with police 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 $25,000 bail, is slated to make his initial court appearance Wednesday afternoon.