$75,000 bail for man charged after standoff

HAYDEN — A man remains in jail on $75,000 bond after a four-hour standoff with police over the weekend.

Mark R. Spurgeon, 59, of Hayden, is charged with domestic battery and two counts of attempted strangulation, all felonies.

Deputies with the Kootenai County Sheriff’s Office responded the evening of July 3 to a report of a domestic dispute at a Hayden residence.

A woman who identified herself as Spurgeon’s girlfriend told police that an intoxicated Spurgeon had grabbed her by the neck and choked her in their shared home.

Spurgeon allegedly released the woman, then followed her into another room, where he pushed her to the floor, pinned her down and choked her again.

The woman said she managed to get away from Spurgeon, ran outside and yelled for help. She had red marks on her neck and chest, police said.

Neighbors called 911.

After law enforcement arrived at the scene, Spurgeon reportedly barricaded himself inside the residence.

Police said they made multiple attempts to convince Spurgeon to come outside, contacting him via phone and PA announcements.

The Kootenai County Joint Agency SWAT Team was activated.

Meanwhile, police obtained a warrant for Spurgeon’s arrest.

After entering the residence, SWAT reportedly deployed gas.

Officers found Spurgeon in a bathroom, in a tub filled with water. They deployed a K-9 unit, according to court documents, which bit Spurgeon’s arm.

Spurgeon was transported to Kootenai Health for evaluation and later booked into jail.

Prosecutors said Spurgeon has previously been convicted of violent crimes.

District Judge Patrick McFadden ordered Tuesday that Spurgeon be held on $75,000 bail.