Richland attack triggers lockdown at Liberty Christian School

A Richland man is in jail after allegedly attacking a woman in their home and causing a nearby school to go into lockdown.

Police say Justin Church, 30, attacked his girlfriend Wedensday morning after a hourslong argument in their home on the 1300 block of Sacramento Boulevard.

The woman ran from the home and called police, said Richland police Sgt. Drew Florence.

Officers thought Church might have guns, so they surrounded the home and asked for help from Tri-City Regional SWAT.

Church later was found in a shed in the backyard.

His girlfriend was treated for minor injuries to her face, Florence said.

Officers booked Church into the Benton County jail for second-degree assault, theft of a firearm and unlawful possession of a firearm.

Liberty Christian School employees were asked to lock their doors for about 40 minutes. Classes at the school begin next week.

This story was originally published August 22, 2018 at 8:51 AM.