Full Notification

On September 27, 2023, around 5:04 AM, Novato Police Department Officers were dispatched to the report of a man in the Downtown Novato area swinging an axe and breaking out windows to a business near 1st Street and Grant Avenue. A second caller reported seeing a man with an axe near 7^th Street and Grant Avenue and then an additional caller reported a vandalism near Winding Way, all within a short period of time. It was also reported that the man encountered an on-duty Novato Fire Protection District employee and brandished an axe, prompting the employee to immediately contact NPD. Upon further investigation, NPD officers learned that the person involved was Bjorn Schwindt, a 28-year-old Novato resident. Officers responded to Schwindt’s residence to check on his welfare.
 
Upon arrival, officers observed Schwindt driving his vehicle into the driveway of his residence. Once contacted, Schwindt got out of his car holding an axe and a pipe in his hands. He then fled into the home and barricaded himself inside. Additional officers responded to assist and evacuated nearby residences while they attempted to negotiate with Schwindt.
 
A Nixle Alert was sent out alerting of police activity in the area. Members of the San Rafael-Novato Regional Crisis Negotiations Team (CNT) responded to assist with negotiations. At 9:03 AM, Mr. Schwindt surrendered peacefully and was safely taken into custody. Schwindt was transported to a hospital for treatment of self-inflicted injuries and will subsequently be booked at the Marin County Jail once cleared for assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a deadly weapon, vandalism and resisting arrest.
 
The Novato Police Department partners with Crisis Negotiators to assist our Patrol staff in high-risk crisis situations. We utilize these resources to help to de-escalate violent and potentially deadly situations. We work in partnership with the San Rafael Police Department to jointly staff a team of highly trained negotiators and mental health professionals specifically for challenging situations like these.
 
We would like to thank the San Rafael Police Department and the Marin County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance during this incident. We would also like to thank witnesses for providing timely information and the neighbors for their patience as we worked to resolve the situation. We work in partnership with our allied agencies and our community to create a safer Novato.

If you or someone you know if eperiencing a crisis, seek help right away. Call 9-1-1 in an emergency. The County of Marin’s Crisis Stabilization Unit (CSU), is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and can be reached at 415-473-6666.
 
If you have any information regarding this investigation, please contact the Novato Police Department at 415-897-4361 and reference Novato Police Case #23-3631.