A 35-year old woman who allegedly threatened a Santa Teresa couple at knifepoint triggered a standoff with deputies that lasted throughout most of the day Thursday.
Several units with the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Department were dispatched to the 200 block of Cherry Hill Lane just after7 a.m., including the Special Response Team and the Doña Ana County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad.
Upon arrival, the couple told deputies the woman, who is related to the victims, knocked on the door at 4:30 that morning and demanded to be let in the home. The woman allegedly brandished a knife, threatening to kill the couple. According to the victims, the woman has a history of violent behavior and drug abuse.
The victims were able to escape the house and called police. When units arrived, the couple said they believed the woman was still inside the home. A perimeter was established and bomb squad technicians deployed robots to try and communicate with the suspect.
Traffic in the secluded neighborhood, located off Country Club Drive in the Santa Teresa Country Club area, was blocked for most of the day.
Just after 4 p.m., crisis negotiators determined the woman was not inside the home. The Special Response Team made entry to the home and confirmed that it was empty.
The suspect has been identified as Kendra Shahan. A warrant for her arrest has been issued on charges of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, with bond set at $30,000. She is described as five feet six inches tall with brown hair and brown eyes and weighs approximately 300 pounds.
Detectives suspect Shahan is still in the El Paso area. Anyone with information on her whereabouts is asked to call Mesilla Valley Regional Dispatch, (575) 526-0795 or dial 911.
Information from Doña Ana County