Police: Visalia man beat, threatened woman with rifle in front of their children

A Visalia man was arrested early Saturday morning after police say he hit a woman and threatened her with a rifle in front of their two young children.

Visalia police Sgt. Chris Jennings said officers arrived at an apartment on Caldwell Avenue just west of Sequoia Mall and learned that Carlos Guzman, 28, had been in a verbal and physical fight with the victim. During the fight, he produced a large-caliber rifle and threatened to kill both the woman and himself.

Jennings said police surrounded the apartment and attempted to talk to Guzman, who refused to leave the apartment. Officers were able to get the woman out, but Guzman remained locked inside with their 5-year-old son and 18-month-old daughter.

Guzman eventually surrendered to officers, Jennings said. The children were not hurt. The woman was treated at the scene for minor injuries. Police found the rifle on the floor of the apartment.

Guzman was arrested on charges of domestic violence, making criminal threats, being a felon with a gun, child endangerment and assault with a deadly weapon.

This story was originally published July 11, 2015 at 11:23 AM with the headline "Police: Visalia man beat, threatened woman with rifle in front of their children."