A terrifying scene unfolded at an Otway home, leaving residents shaken and police scrambling to defuse a volatile situation. What began as a call for help quickly spiraled into a tense standoff involving violence, threats, and a dog bite — and that’s just scratching the surface. 😳
👀 Here’s What We Know (So Far):
Just after the call came in, officers were told:
- A man had attacked his stepfather with a hammer 🔨
- The suspect was still in the house and may have been armed
- A frightened woman and her brother were hiding in a bedroom, terrified the man might come after them next 🚪
- The suspect was allegedly threatening to burn the house down 🔥
🚑 EMS was placed on standby while deputies tried to talk the suspect out. But he refused to come out willingly, holding officers at bay for a tense period.
🐶 Enter… the Dog?
During the chaos, the suspect—identified as Johnathan Westenberg—was reportedly bitten by a dog. It’s unclear whether the dog was a police K9 or just a protective pooch. Either way, he ended up needing a trip to the hospital for evaluation.
👮♂️ Once things calmed down, Westenberg was arrested and hit with charges for:
- Making a domestic threat
- Obstructing official business
⚖️ Court & Criminal History
Westenberg appeared in Portsmouth Municipal Court, where:
- A temporary protection order was issued
- A pre-trial hearing was set for September 22
And this isn’t his first rodeo…
📄 His past includes charges for:
- Violating a protection order
- Having sex with a minor
- Criminal damaging
- Aggravated menacing
💡 Domestic Incidents Can Turn Deadly—Fast
This near-tragedy highlights the importance of taking domestic threats seriously and calling 911 immediately if you or someone you know is in danger.
📱 If you’re trapped in a home with a violent person:
- Find a safe place to hide and call 911
- Give clear, calm information to the dispatcher
- Stay quiet and wait for help—do not confront the attacker
Stay tuned to SCDN for updates on this developing story.