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Man barricaded in home takes own life after SWAT response
Chris Dabovich/San Pedro Valley News-Sun
A standoff between a Benson man and authorities Wednesday resulted in the barricaded man taking his own life.
Clay Eugene Mullenix, 46, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head from a .357 magnum revolver, said acting Benson Police Chief Paul Moncada. He said a check of the weapon revealed it to be stolen.
The shooting brought a halt to a 10-hour situation that required a response from the Cochise County Sheriff's Office Special Weapons and Tactics Unit at a home on Hollyhock Lane off Route 80 just southeast of Benson and beyond city limits.
Moncada said the incident began at 2:47 p.m. Wednesday (May 27) when a Benson officer attempted to stop a 1971 Ford pickup truck that Mullenix was driving on a suspended license.
Mullenix failed to yield and drove the truck to the home in the 2300 block of Hollyhock. He then brandished a pistol and pointed it at approaching officers who had followed, said Moncada.
That's when Benson Police summoned assistance from the County SWAT unit, said Cochise Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Carol Capas.
After SWAT team negotiators were unable to engage Mullenix in a dialogue, they entered the home and were met with gunfire.
"He fired a shot when SWAT made entry," said Moncada. After some negotiating, SWAT members fired "chemical agents" into the home. Mullenix then killed himself.
Moncada said an ex-girlfriend of the victim, who was not home at the time of the incident, lives at the residence where the standoff occurred. Mullenix was also reported to have lived there off and on.
Last week's incident marked the second time in as many months that the county SWAT team had to be summoned.
In an April 21 incident, Randall Kent Oly was shot by SWAT members who returned fire after he emerged from the St. David home he had been barricaded in shooting at authorities. He was 65.
A standoff between a Benson man and authorities Wednesday resulted in the barricaded man taking his own life.
Clay Eugene Mullenix, 46, died at the scene from a self-inflicted gunshot to the head from a .357 magnum revolver, said acting Benson Police Chief Paul Moncada. He said a check of the weapon revealed it to be stolen.
The shooting brought a halt to a 10-hour situation that required a response from the Cochise County Sheriff's Office Special Weapons and Tactics Unit at a home on Hollyhock Lane off Route 80 just southeast of Benson and beyond city limits.
Moncada said the incident began at 2:47 p.m. Wednesday (May 27) when a Benson officer attempted to stop a 1971 Ford pickup truck that Mullenix was driving on a suspended license.
Mullenix failed to yield and drove the truck to the home in the 2300 block of Hollyhock. He then brandished a pistol and pointed it at approaching officers who had followed, said Moncada.
That's when Benson Police summoned assistance from the County SWAT unit, said Cochise Sheriff's Office spokeswoman Carol Capas.
After SWAT team negotiators were unable to engage Mullenix in a dialogue, they entered the home and were met with gunfire.
"He fired a shot when SWAT made entry," said Moncada. After some negotiating, SWAT members fired "chemical agents" into the home. Mullenix then killed himself.
Moncada said an ex-girlfriend of the victim, who was not home at the time of the incident, lives at the residence where the standoff occurred. Mullenix was also reported to have lived there off and on.
Last week's incident marked the second time in as many months that the county SWAT team had to be summoned.
In an April 21 incident, Randall Kent Oly was shot by SWAT members who returned fire after he emerged from the St. David home he had been barricaded in shooting at authorities. He was 65.
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The following are comments from the readers. In no way do they represent the view of bensonnews-sun.com.
DT wrote on Jun 7, 2009 10:27 AM:
" Clay Mulleneix was loved very much. He was a very intellegent man with such a sharp, deadpan sence of humor that he could keep us entertained for hours as we grew up together. I feel a terrible guilt that I didn't reach out to him. He was such a tortured soul that he didn't believe he deserved anything other than what he ended up with. God bless his soul. "
CC wrote on Jun 7, 2009 12:49 PM:
" I have to agree with CDG. Why on earth would Local Law Enforcement take such dramatic action against someone (Oly) who shot at his neighbor with a shotgun over a problem with a well then came out of his home shooting at cops. This guy must have been misunderstood. Maybe the cops should have waited till he shot 10 or 15 rounds, then maybe the use of force would be warranted. Maybe that would have given him plenty of time to take out a cop or a citizen. The cops are trigger happy like CDG says so he did not have ample oppurtunity.
But then again, Mullenix took his own life. Maybe hye didn't have enough ammunition to shoot at everyone there and decided he would not be given a fair chance to fight back. Of course, he did get to run from police and point a gun at them...wait...if the police are trigger happy, why didn't they shoot him then? Why did they try to use negotiation and less-lethal tactics to safely bring the standoff to an end?
Who knows? We dont cause we were not there! So I guess what I am saying is I completely disagree with what CDG has to say. Our local law enforcement goes into situations everyday to protect all of us, even people who compare them to Gestapo (research this word)from harm.
I say awesome job to our local cops and one day CDG, you will be asking for their help. Tell me then how much they compare to the Gestapo. "
But then again, Mullenix took his own life. Maybe hye didn't have enough ammunition to shoot at everyone there and decided he would not be given a fair chance to fight back. Of course, he did get to run from police and point a gun at them...wait...if the police are trigger happy, why didn't they shoot him then? Why did they try to use negotiation and less-lethal tactics to safely bring the standoff to an end?
Who knows? We dont cause we were not there! So I guess what I am saying is I completely disagree with what CDG has to say. Our local law enforcement goes into situations everyday to protect all of us, even people who compare them to Gestapo (research this word)from harm.
I say awesome job to our local cops and one day CDG, you will be asking for their help. Tell me then how much they compare to the Gestapo. "
Candace Burton wrote on Jun 7, 2009 2:41 PM:
" Clay Mulleneix was my brother and I would like to acknowledge the Benson Police Department for the role they played in this terrible ordeal. I met with Detective Brian Williams after the incident and I am satisfied that the officers involved, as well as those on the SWAT team and their negotiator, did all that they could to preserve my brother’s life. Clay was a good man with a quick wit and a deep intelligence. In the end, however, the burdens of his existence overwhelmed him and he chose to end his own life. Rest in Peace my dear Brother. "
Jdp Family wrote on Jun 7, 2009 5:46 PM:
" i think you are right on the money the m an above was my uncle "
CougarGirl13 wrote on Jun 27, 2009 7:48 PM:
" Clay was also my uncle.I did not know him very well due to the troubles he has accurred in his life, however, I know he was a good man, was very smart, and would never have done this if had seen any other way. His soul is finally at peace and he now rests with his mother, my grandmother, in heaven. He no longer has to have multiple burdens upon his shoulders. God bless him. "
Jake wrote on Jul 1, 2009 4:51 AM:
" To CDG and CC- Please use appropriate forums to whine about the what ifs of life, using this setting is no different than arguing at a funeral, its just rude.
Clay was my father. All things considered, this may actually be his happy ending after a troubled life. Not 'troubled' as in uneducated, insincere, unloved or unworthy. Simply, a few poor choices and a little bad luck set him on a course to this eventual destiny. He'll be sorely missed. Rest in Peace. "
Clay was my father. All things considered, this may actually be his happy ending after a troubled life. Not 'troubled' as in uneducated, insincere, unloved or unworthy. Simply, a few poor choices and a little bad luck set him on a course to this eventual destiny. He'll be sorely missed. Rest in Peace. "
cdg wrote on Jun 5, 2009 2:35 PM: