Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station Deputies along with the LASD Special Enforcement Bureau and Crisis Negotiation Team were able to bring a peaceful end to the five-hour standoff.

Deputies initially received the call at 1:05 a.m. receiving reports of “a family disturbance,” at a residence on the 15200 block of Poppy Meadow Street in Canyon Country, according to Sgt. Brian Hudson of the Santa Clarita Valley Sheriff’s Station.

“We were told during that argument the suspect produced a shotgun and threatened family members,” Hudson said.

Deputies responded to the report that two children, a 10-year-old and a 13-year-old allegedly were also being held, hostage.

The suspect has been identified as, Mark Spitzer, 47, from Canyon Country.

“We had information there were two children were in the house and that, of course, was our main concern,” said Sgt. Hudson.

“it turns out his children aged 10 and 13 were found inside the resident uninjured.”

The suspect had then barricaded the family in the residence, after repeated unsuccessful attempts to make contact with the suspect deputies called in some backup.

“We Notified SEB around 3 a.m. and they deployed within the hour along with a crisis negotiation team,” said Sgt. Hudson.

Officials were eventually able to make contact with the suspect and they surrendered peacefully at 6:40 a.m. according to officials.

“This was the best possible outcome we could hope for,” said Hudson, “a peaceful resolution and no one was injured.”