SWAT raid fails to catch Arizona murder suspect

BULLHEAD CITY, Ariz. - A six-hour, multi-agency standoff in a Bullhead City neighborhood ended without an arrest after authorities determined a wanted homicide suspect was not inside the home, despite "credible" tipsters initially claiming he was hiding there.

What we know:

Officers and SWAT units swarmed a residence on Monterey Drive searching for 32-year-old Christopher Lamar Pratt, who is wanted on an active felony warrant for murder.  Bullhead City police confirmed Pratt remains at large and should be considered armed and dangerous.

Tactical teams from the Bullhead City Police Department, the Mohave County Sheriff's Office and Lake Havasu City SWAT established a perimeter and cut power to the residence around 2:40 p.m. Throughout the evening, officers pulled five people out of the main house with help from the Mohave Area General Narcotics Enforcement Team (MAGNET) and GIITEM (State Gang Task Force).

Authorities systematically searched the main house, an adjacent mobile home and multiple RVs parked on the lot. SWAT units fully cleared the property and confirmed the suspect was not present.

"We are still on scene. However, we have confirmation that he is not at this location," Bullhead City PD spokesperson Emily Fromelt said at 8:30 p.m. "He is still outstanding."

What they're saying:

Bullhead City Police Chief Paul George issued a statement after the dust settled Thursday morning.

"Our officers exhausted every reasonable effort to safely call out and have all occupants exit the home. While some individuals complied quickly, others did not," George said. "Given the information available and the belief that an armed homicide suspect remained inside, we had a duty to take the necessary steps to safely gain visibility into the residence and protect both our officers and the public."

For nearly six hours, crisis negotiators made announcements in an attempt to contact Pratt, and tear gas was deployed multiple times. SWAT team members ultimately entered the residence, but Pratt was not located.

"We will always operate within the law and follow accepted law enforcement practices, but let me be clear, we will relentlessly pursue those who commit violent crimes in our community. This investigation is far from over. We will continue to pursue every lead until he is in custody. If you choose to harbor or assist a violent fugitive, you should expect that we will come knocking. We will not sit back and wait for him to hurt anyone else," added Chief George. 
 

The backstory:

Pratt is wanted in connection with a fatal shooting that occurred on July 18 along Sea Spray Drive. A 43-year-old Mohave Valley man was shot while sitting as a passenger in a vehicle, suffering a gunshot wound that injured both his legs. The victim was transported to Sunrise Hospital in Las Vegas, where he died four days later. Detectives identified Pratt as the gunman and noted he had prior altercations with the victim.

What you can do:

A reward of up to $1,500 is being offered by Mohave Silent Witness for information leading to Pratt's arrest. Anyone who spots the suspect is instructed not to approach him and to call 911 immediately. Tipsters can also contact the Bullhead City PD at 928-763-1999 or Mohave Silent Witness at 928-753-1234.

Update:

Bullhead City Police took Pratt into custody late at night on July 31 after receiving information that the homicide suspect was at a home in the 7800 block of Canadian Street in Mohave Valley.

Map of where the SWAT standoff occurred:

Crime and Public SafetyMohave County