Neighbors Speak About Man Seriously Injured After Standoff with Police
By: Victor Sotelo
Updated: November 12, 2012
Merkel residents speak about their neighbor, Gary Allyn Diltz, who was seriously injured in Monday's early morning standoff with police.
Some neighbors did not mind going on camera others did, but all of them we spoke to said the same thing about Diltz
Even after living in his trailer on the 300 block of Lamar in Merkel for years, many of his neighbors did not know much about him.
Although there is plenty of speculation, like one man who said every once in a while he would smell a chemical odor in the air if the wind was blowing right
Another neighbor who lives just behind Diltz wondered about the man.
Whatever the reason Diltz decided to barricade himself in his home, his neighbors speculate it was because of illegal activity at the home.
.............
At 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 12, the Abilene Police Department was contacted by the Merkel Police Department and asked to assist with a barricaded person who was threatening suicide.
The Tactical Team learned that the suspect had reportedly threatened a Merkel Police Officer and Taylor County Sheriff's Deputy by pointing a firearm at them and threatening to kill them.
With a known offense, Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant, the Tactical Team was authorized to assist Merkel and Taylor County Sheriff's Office pursuant to mutual aid assistance.
The Tactical Team consists of the SWAT Team, Hostage Negotiations Team, and Abilene Fire Department Tactical Medics.
The suspect was identified as Garry Allyn Diltz, born 05-03-1963.
Diltz was alone inside the mobile home residence, which is located at 306 Lamar in Merkel.
Negotiations proved unsuccessful with the suspect. A search / arrest warrant was requested and signed by a local magistrate at approximately 3:30 a.m.
Thereafter, the SWAT Team deployed chemicals into the residence, trying to get the suspect to exit. Defense Technology brand 40mm OC and CS ferret rounds were used, in addition to Defense Technology flameless tri-chamber CS canisters.
The suspect refused to surrender. However, a fire began inside the residence that eventually forced the suspect to exit the back of the residence.
According to the Tactical Medic who was on scene, the suspect had suffered third degree burns over 50 percent of his body. He was immediately treated for his injuries and transported to Hendrick via ambulance.
Diltz was later taken to Lubbock's burn center for further treatment.
The Merkel Police Department and Taylor County Sheriff's Office are co-investigating this offense. Additionally, Abilene Fire investigators responded to assist the Merkel Volunteer Fire Department with determining the cause of the fire.
This investigation continues.
Some neighbors did not mind going on camera others did, but all of them we spoke to said the same thing about Diltz
Even after living in his trailer on the 300 block of Lamar in Merkel for years, many of his neighbors did not know much about him.
Although there is plenty of speculation, like one man who said every once in a while he would smell a chemical odor in the air if the wind was blowing right
Another neighbor who lives just behind Diltz wondered about the man.
Whatever the reason Diltz decided to barricade himself in his home, his neighbors speculate it was because of illegal activity at the home.
.............
At 12:01 a.m. on Monday, November 12, the Abilene Police Department was contacted by the Merkel Police Department and asked to assist with a barricaded person who was threatening suicide.
The Tactical Team learned that the suspect had reportedly threatened a Merkel Police Officer and Taylor County Sheriff's Deputy by pointing a firearm at them and threatening to kill them.
With a known offense, Aggravated Assault Against a Public Servant, the Tactical Team was authorized to assist Merkel and Taylor County Sheriff's Office pursuant to mutual aid assistance.
The Tactical Team consists of the SWAT Team, Hostage Negotiations Team, and Abilene Fire Department Tactical Medics.
The suspect was identified as Garry Allyn Diltz, born 05-03-1963.
Diltz was alone inside the mobile home residence, which is located at 306 Lamar in Merkel.
Negotiations proved unsuccessful with the suspect. A search / arrest warrant was requested and signed by a local magistrate at approximately 3:30 a.m.
Thereafter, the SWAT Team deployed chemicals into the residence, trying to get the suspect to exit. Defense Technology brand 40mm OC and CS ferret rounds were used, in addition to Defense Technology flameless tri-chamber CS canisters.
The suspect refused to surrender. However, a fire began inside the residence that eventually forced the suspect to exit the back of the residence.
According to the Tactical Medic who was on scene, the suspect had suffered third degree burns over 50 percent of his body. He was immediately treated for his injuries and transported to Hendrick via ambulance.
Diltz was later taken to Lubbock's burn center for further treatment.
The Merkel Police Department and Taylor County Sheriff's Office are co-investigating this offense. Additionally, Abilene Fire investigators responded to assist the Merkel Volunteer Fire Department with determining the cause of the fire.
This investigation continues.
Comments
I cannot believe this is what KRBC news calls a story. Really? I would fire your sorry journalistic butts if you brought this poor excuse of a story to my news room. I am seriously embarrassed FOR YOU!!! Is this the best "reporting" you can do? Victor Sotelo you owe Mr. Diltz and all your viewers an apology for this nonsense! You should be ashamed!
C.L. R.
November 13, 2012 at 3:38 pm
Okay you interview people who admittedly did not know him then broadcast the drivel they spout to you. Great journalism. First of all Garry and his brother were not adopted. second both his parents are not dead. Third the property where he lived was owned by his mother. His mother passed away in 2010 his real dad disowned him years ago before he was even a teenager. I am his step dad and I am very much alive thank you. If any one had gone through the things Garry has gone through especially the last three plus years they might just want to end it all also. He could not get any help and was living on hand outs. I gave him what I could but it was not much. Garry had seizures and a spine that looked like a road map and could not work. No one would hire him because he had seizures and the great State of Texas would not give him any aid. He was denied disability 5 or more times and they would not even give him food stamps. I won't even get into what the local government has done to him. Yes Garry had problems but no one sure as heck ever tried to help him but those who did not have much to help with. To my knowledge the only gun Garry had was a soft air BB pistol. Granted in the heat of a situation the officers may not have had the time to determine that it was a BB gun. Garry did not talk to his neighbors because he lived by the same creed I do. I watch out for my neighbors but we do not intrude upon them and socialize we try to keep to our selves except for close friends and family. We learned a long time ago that those who claim to be your friends often are not.
John J.
November 13, 2012 at 3:28 pm
I have to ask why you want to interview people that know nothing about this situation and then on top of it all you interview people that are off their rocker to begin with. this makes me so mad. Not all communities thrive to know each others business that is one reason no one knows much about him. Unless you knew him or his family why would you want to talk to tv crew or make comment oh that is right I forgot to get your few seconds of fame. And Shane C. you are right the way the law acts is you can not harm yourself in your home it is their job to do it.
the o.
November 13, 2012 at 7:36 am
"No sir you may not harm yourself within the confines of your home!!".. "That is our job!!"
Shane C.
November 13, 2012 at 6:13 am
what a mess............y does this stuff happen only in merkel, what is it in the water
donna j.
November 13, 2012 at 5:54 am
