FERNDALE, Wash. -- A standoff with a potentially armed suspect caused the sheriff's office to re-route traffic east of Ferndale Saturday afternoon.

Whatcom County Sheriff's Sergeant Kevin Mede says the incident began during a family confrontation over drug use...



He says the suspect stood up and punched his uncle in the face, then threatened to kill him and said he was going to get a gun.

The victim and all the other occupants got out of the home in the 4200 block of Northwest Drive, but the suspect barricaded himself inside.

Because deputies feared he may be armed, they set a wide perimeter around the home, blocking some traffic on northwest.

Thirty-two-year-old Mark Ortiz of Bellingham surrendered to deputies after 3.5 hours.

He was booked into Whatcom County Jail on suspicion of domestic violence assault, felony harassment, and resisting arrest.