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A physical fight between brothers escalated to threats with weapons before police intervention. Post arrest, one of the parties claimed to fall ill and was transported to a local hospital, where he attempted to escape, and a brief foot pursuit occurred before he was taken back into custody after a 10-minute standoff with police while on a rooftop.
 
San Mateo, CA – On Sunday, August 25, 2024, at 12:35pm, San Mateo Police were called to a home on the 600 block of Magnolia Dr. on report of a physical fight between persons: one armed with a knife, the other with a gun. As we made our way to the location, it was learned the fight was between brothers, and one left the scene and then returned prior to our arrival but was outside of the home. The other was inside the home with the reporting party. Upon police arrival, the brother who had possibly been armed with the gun was detained on the front lawn. The gun was later located in the subject’s vehicle. The other brother was inside the home but was no longer holding the knife he armed himself with in claims of self-defense.

During our investigation, it was determined Graham Macarthur was the primary aggressor, who attacked his brother physically first, then armed himself with a knife, before ultimately arming himself with a firearm threatening to shoot his brother. Thankfully the gun and knives were not used, and no one was injured by them.

Macarthur was arrested for assault with a deadly weapon, brandishing a firearm, criminal threats, as well as several other charges. He was transported to the San Mateo Police Department Jail for pre-processing, when narcotics were found on his person. At that point, Macarthur feigned ill, and paramedics were called to treat him. He was transported by AMR to the San Mateo Medical Center.

At the hospital, while being transferred from the gurney to a hospital bed, once unrestrained, Macarthur sprang up and fled the hospital grounds, as officers gave chase. He was ultimately located on the rooftop of a nearby residence and after a 10-minute de-escalation attempt by officers, he successfully surrendered and was taken back into custody. Once medically cleared, Macarthur was transported to San Mateo County Jail, where he was booked on the below charges.

The introduction of weapons into an incident when tensions are already high is never a good idea. Familial disputes and domestic violence can become deadly when emotions are exacerbated, and it looks like utilizing a weapon is the only way to resolve conflict. There are better ways and resources out there to help de-escalate situations. In San Mateo County, we utilize both the services of CORA (Community Overcoming Relationship Abuse) and PCRC (Peninsula Conflict Resolution Center) to provide skills necessary to learn how to have healthy relationships. We encourage the use of these organizations to anyone experiencing domestic or familial violence.

CORA:  corasupport.org, (800)300-1080
PCRC:  pcrcweb.oprg, (650)513-0330

ARRESTEE:
Graham Macarthur, age 23, San Mateo, CA resident

CHARGE(S):
245(a)(2) PC:  Assault with a firearm
32310(a) PC:  Possess large capacity magazine
422(a) PC:  Criminal threats
417(a)(2)(b) PC:  Exhibit firearm in threatening manner
148(a)(1) PC:  Obstructing arrest
594(a)(3) PC:  Vandalism, destroy others property
485 PC:  Appropriate lost property
11350(a) HS:  Possess controlled substance