Man Found Dead in Palmdale Home Identified Following Hours-Long Barricade
- Richard Sykes
- Oct 6
- 2 min read
PALMDALE, CA — October 6, 2025 — Authorities have identified the man found deceased inside a Palmdale residence on Saturday as 69-year-old Alex Betancourt, a local resident. His death triggered a tense, hours-long barricade situation that drew a heavy law enforcement response and temporarily displaced nearby residents.
Discovery and Initial Response
At approximately 10:00 AM on Saturday, deputies from the Palmdale Sheriff’s Station responded to a welfare check at a home in the 37400 block of Oxford Drive. A concerned caller had reported seeing a large amount of blood through a window. Upon entering the residence, deputies confirmed the presence of blood throughout the home and discovered Betancourt’s body on the ground floor. He appeared to have been deceased for some time.
As deputies continued their search, they reportedly heard a voice coming from the second floor. For safety reasons, they exited the home and began issuing verbal commands, calling for a man named “Kevin” to surrender. No response was received.
Barricade and Tactical Deployment
By 1:50 PM, the Sheriff’s Special Enforcement Bureau (SEB) was deployed to the scene. Surrounding homes were evacuated as a precaution, and the area was cordoned off. According to witnesses, a pool maintenance worker had initially discovered the bloody scene, prompting the emergency call.
As night fell, video footage captured an armored vehicle breaching a second-story window and deploying flash-bang devices in an effort to flush out the suspect. At 9:22 PM, the Sheriff’s Department confirmed the barricade had ended and residents were allowed to return to their homes.
Suspect in Custody, Investigation Ongoing
A man described only as a “suspect” was taken into custody at the scene. Homicide detectives were called in to investigate, and a post-mortem examination of Betancourt is pending. No cause of death has been released, and officials have not disclosed the suspect’s identity or potential connection to the victim.
Public Assistance Requested
The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department urges anyone with information related to the incident to contact the Homicide Bureau at 323-890-5500.
This developing case has left the Oxford Drive neighborhood shaken, as residents await further details on what led to the tragic death and dramatic standoff.
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