March 28, 2024 Breaking News, Latest News, and Videos

Neighbors Astonished After Santa Monica Man Takes His Own Life After Hostage Situation:

Neighbors of John Carroll Lowery shook their heads with astonishment as the body of their 48-year-old friend was wheeled into the back of a LA County Coroner’s van in the 2900 block of Delaware Avenue at about 8:30 am Wednesday.

Just hours earlier, Lowery shot himself in the head after several tense hours of holding his 86-year-old mother-in-law hostage, who also lived in the home.

Lowery’s son escaped from the single story home and dialed 911 just before 5 pm Tuesday, telling the operator he and his grandmother had been tied up and taken hostage at gunpoint by his father.

Santa Monica Police Department Sgt. Richard Lewis said officers responded in large numbers, setting up a perimeter around the house.

As the sun began to set, he said crisis negotiators began to communicate with Lowery who was still holed up with his mother-in-law.

“We started to communicate with the guy who was clearly depressed, despondent, and suicidal,” Lewis said. “Based on the conversations, he was depressed and despondent over his relationship and issues with his wife.”

Lowery’s estranged wife who he still lived with wasn’t at home during the incident.

The SMPD’s SWAT team and crisis negotiators were assisted by members of the Beverly Hills Police Department and the Santa Monica Fire Department.

Lowery allowed crisis negotiators to speak with his mother-in-law early into the hostage situation – she was able to tell officers she was not injured, Lewis said.

“At one point she was tied up and couldn’t walk out the house,” Lewis said. “Within a couple of hours, he had untied her and the next time we talked to her she said ‘yes, she could walk out.’ Then within a few minutes they were able to get her to walk on out.”

With the mother-in-law out of harm’s way at about 10 pm, police negotiators continued to communicate with Lowery.

At about midnight, he went quiet.

Lewis said the SWAT team employed several different tactics to get his attention.

“When that failed, they deployed gas into the house to see if he would come outside,” he said.

When that option didn’t work, the SWAT team made entry at about 4 am and located Lowery in one of the bedrooms.

He was found dead with a self-inflicted gunshot wound to his head.

Neighbor Terell Jolivitte has lived next door for 46 years.

She said she grew up with John’s wife Wendy, who was also born and raised in their side-by-side homes, adding the couple married after high school and he moved into the home about 16 years ago.

Jolivitte said she never thought he was capable of killing himself.

“He would come over and talk to me every day about marital problems and he had a few problems of his own,” she said. “Never in my whole life did I think he would do something like this.”

Jolivitte said she talked to him Tuesday afternoon at about 2 pm or 3 pm – just hours before the hostage situation began – and she said he appeared to be acting normal.

“Earlier in the day at about 9 am he was supposed to fix a friend’s motorcycle, and the guy had already paid him $22 or something,” she said. “The guy was outside their house and said ‘forget it, I want my money back.’ That’s when Wendy came out and gave the money back, that’s when they started arguing, there was a big fight over that. They went back into the house and I thought everything was okay.”

Jolivitte said John experienced a brain aneurism two years ago and had also turned to drugs. She said he was also out of a job.

“You never know what’s going on behind closed doors, but I’ve never heard anything,” she said. “I don’t know what triggered John, I wish I could have talked to him before he did something like this.”

in News
Related Posts

 (Video) Philz Coffee Set to Close Westside Location Next Month

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Franchise Recently Made Headlines for Changing Headquarters @smmirrornews Philz is closing its Santa Monica shop #coffeeaddict #coffee #coffeeshop #losangeles...

Fleurs et Sel Bakery Opens Storefront in West Adams, Welcomes Customers Three Days a Week

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Indulge in Freshly Baked Cookies at the New West Adams Location Fleurs et Sel Bakery, known for its delectable cookies...

Easter Specials Guide: Brunch Spots, Desserts, and More in West Los Angeles

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Discover the Best Easter Eats and Treats in LA for Your Holiday Celebration Easter is almost here, so here are...

Famous Literary Critic and Palisadian Passes Away at 92

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

A Memoriam Post Stated She Overturned Views on T. S. Eliot, Ezra Pound and Other Canonized Artists By Zach Armstrong...

Mixed-Use Development Set for Sloping Property along Chautauqua Boulevard

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

“Canyon Place” Is Set to Include Two Apartment Units and 1,415 Sq. Ft. of Office Space By Zach Armstrong A...

Over Five Miles of Venice Blvd. to Temporarily Close, Become Public Park in April

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

The Initiative, Which Started in 2010, Aims to Connect Communities and Promote Sustainable Transportation Options On Sunday, April 21 from...

(Video) Workers Strike at Luxury Hotel in Downtown Santa Monica

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Meanwhile, Unite Here Local 11 Recently Announced a Contract Was Ratified at 34 Hotels @smmirrornews Workers are striking at Proper...

(Video) Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE

March 27, 2024

March 27, 2024

Director Adam Wingard Talks About His Influences While Making GODZILLA X KONG: THE NEW EMPIRE at the Beyond Fest Screening...

Historic Union Contract Ratified by Thousands of Hotel Workers At 34 Hotels

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

UNITE HERE Local 11 Negotiates Agreement Ensuring Wage Increases  Hotel workers, who spearheaded the largest hotel strike in modern U.S....

Teen Kung Fu Coming to Pali Rec Center

March 26, 2024

March 26, 2024

This 8-week session, priced at $160, commences in April 2024 Palisades Recreation Center introduces Teen Kung Fu classes, fostering a...

After Securing $200K Grant, City Embarks on Action Plan for Older Adults, People with Disabilities and Caregivers

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The City Will Engage Experts, Nonprofit Partners, Commissioners, and Stakeholders to Spearhead the Planning Process The city of Santa Monica...

City Commences Phase 2 of Beach Restoration Project

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Project Will Enlarge the Habitat for Significant Native Species, Including the Federally Threatened Western Snowy Plover Phase 2 of...

Caltrans Extends Closure on Topanga Canyon Boulevard Due to Mud and Rockslide

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

PCH Closure on March 26 Adds to Local Road Closures, Seek Alternative Routes The California Department of Transportation (Caltrans) has...

Animal Rights Groups Demand an End to Turtle Racing at Brennan’s Pub

March 25, 2024

March 25, 2024

The Organization Says Its Tried to Contact the Westside Bar for Months By Zach Armstrong Among its numerous entertainment events...

SMC Unveils Spring 2024 Issue of Acclaimed Literary Journal, Author Readings Coming in April

March 24, 2024

March 24, 2024

The Issue Presents a Mix of New, Returning, and Debut Writers, Reflecting Diversity and Enduring Relationships Santa Monica College announced...