Poughkeepsie Man Arrested In Utica Following Standoff With Police

A Poughkeepsie man has been arrested following a standoff with police. The standoff stemmed from an alleged domestic dispute on Deborah Drive.

Utica Police say, they were called to the address at approximately 4:30 p.m. on Sunday. While en route 911 operators informed officers that 40-year-old Demetrius Williams had threatened a woman and her children with a knife and possibly had an infant barricaded in the home with him.

When officers arrived, Williams answered the door with a knife and confirmed he was holding a child in the apartment with him. He retreated back into the residence, police secured the area and brought in a hostage negotiator.

After intense negotiations, Williams finally agreed to allow the children to be released. The infant was immediately secured by officers and appeared to not be injured seriously. Negotiations continued and eventually, Williams surrendered peacefully.

An investigation revealed that during the course of the alleged domestic dispute, Williams and the female got into an argument and he at one point began wildly swinging a knife. It was during the course of the alleged knife swinging that another child was cut in the leg. That child was treated at the scene by Utica Fire.

At the conclusion of the standoff, Williams was taken into custody. and brought to a local hospital for a mental evaluation. Williams is charged with,

• Two counts of Menacing
• Two counts of Endangering the Welfare of a Child
• Reckless Endangerment
• Criminal Possession of a Weapon
• Criminal Mischief
• Unlawful Imprisonment

Utica Police wish to thank the Utica Fire Department for a quick response and assistance with the incident. They also wish to recognize the work of the Patrol Division, the METRO SWAT Team, and the outstanding work of the hostage negotiator who all ensured the peaceful, successful resolution to this incident.