Last summer, authorities estimate that Anthony Alvarez took a .308 caliber round from a semi-automatic rifle to the shoulder about 9 a.m. the Thursday after he kicked off the longest hostage situation in Sacramento County history.
The round created a gaping exit wound about as big as a silver half-dollar.
And yet, the 26-year-old Alvarez would remain holed up in his cousin's Arden Way apartment for another 34 hours, occasionally firing at police and holding a 16-month-old toddler hostage. He never once complained to negotiators about the injury, nor did it appear to affect his resolve, according to the Sacramento County Sheriff's Department.
That's just one example allowing some insight into Alvarez's mindset during the 56-hour standoff that ended with Alvarez's death and the toddler's safe recovery. Sheriff's officials say Alvarez was a unique and sophisticated opponent who created the most difficult hostage scenario most law enforcement officers involved had seen in their careers.
Coming in The Bee this weekend, read never-before released details about the standoff - including SWAT efforts to end the standoff peacefully and the many hurdles facing them - and reflections from sheriff's officials about how it played out.
PHOTO CREDIT: The larger of the two rounds pictured, a .308-caliber round from a semi-automatic rifle, struck suspect Anthony Alvarez in the back of his shoulder and exited in the front, leaving a wound the size of a half-dollar. Kim Minugh, Sacramento Bee
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