A BHPD drone responded and observed the suspect with a firearm in his hand on a hotel balcony. Additional BHPD resources responded including SWAT and crisis negotiation personnel, detectives and mutual aid resources. The BHPD Real Time Watch Center constantly monitored the suspect, police said.
“We responded, the subject was seen on the balcony and then he retreated into his room. He was unresponsive, but our crisis negotiation personnel established communication with him and a short time later he safely surrendered himself,” Lt. Andrew Myers said.
The suspect was identified as Joseph Leonardi, 41, of Woodland Hills. He was booked for being a felon in possession of a firearm and negligent discharge of a firearm. A preliminary investigation conducted by detectives determined the suspect fired several rounds inside his hotel room. No injuries were reported, Myers said. The streets reopened in the area around noon.