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Man found dead after fiery standoff ID’d

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Michael Soares' body was found shortly before midnight Thursday, Feb. 5, at the scene of a fire in the 45000 block of Gadsden Avenue according to the sheriff's department. (Left image: LUIS MESA) (Michael Soares photo via Facebook)
Michael Soares’ body was found shortly before midnight Thursday, Feb. 5, at the scene of a fire in the 45000 block of Gadsden Avenue, according to the sheriff’s department.
(Left image: LUIS MEZA) (Michael Soares photo via Facebook)

LANCASTER – A convicted felon, whose body was found after a SWAT team fired a flashbang grenade and tear gas into a Lancaster home, was publicly identified Saturday by the Coroner’s Office.

The man was identified as Michael Leroy Soares, 35, of Lancaster, said Coroner’s Lt. David Smith.

It was still not clear how he died, or if the fire was ignited by tear gas canisters, which can create enough heat to start fires.

Soares’ body was found shortly before midnight Thursday, Feb. 5, at the scene of a fire in the 45000 block of Gadsden Avenue, according to the sheriff’s department.

A sheriff’s Special Weapons and Tactics Team was summoned to the location about 7:30 p.m. Thursday, after deputies had gone to the home to arrest “a known felon in possession of a firearm,” the sheriff’s department reported.

Soares — regarded as armed and dangerous — refused to surrender, and surrounding homes were evacuated, the sheriff’s department reported.

After continued negotiations failed to get him to surrender, “the Special Weapons Team introduced (tear) gas into the residence, and ultimately a fire began inside the location,” according to a sheriff’s statement.

SWAT deputies entered the residence about 11:45 p.m. Thursday, put out the fire and found the suspect dead, the statement said.

The cause of death was not immediately released.

A sawed-off shotgun was found in the residence, the sheriff’s department reported.

[Information via City News Service.]

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Previous related story: Suspect found dead after Lancaster standoff, house fire

Filed Under: Crime/ Safety

65 comments for "Man found dead after fiery standoff ID’d"

  1. THE “RED [removed] SHERRIFS” OF AV PURPOSELY KILLED HIM!!! THEIR SUPPOSED TO GET THE GAS COMPANY TO KUTT OFF THE GAS BEFORE THROW ANY KHEMICAL GASES INTO A HOME!!! [removed] IDIOTS!!!

    ON TOP OF THAT THEY OVER KILLED THE DUDE WHEN THEY ENTERED THE HOUSE,,, IF THE GUY WUS DEAD PLEASE EXPLAIN THE BULLET HOLES IN HIS CHEST….(I’LL WAIT)
    THATS WTF I THOUGHT!!!!

    IF YOU ASK ME IT WUS A [removed] HOMICIDE SUSPECT AND THE AGRESSERS WHERE WHO??? THE [removed] PIGS!!!!

    • He had every chance to come out of the house and surrender and he made the choice not to do so. The cops can’t just wait there all night for him to decide to come out and what where they supposed to do, say “Well I guess he doesn’t want to go to jail today let’s go and maybe we will get him next time” that is insane.

      Furthermore if the officers where able to enter the home and shot him as you say then the suspect had just as much chance to get out of the house when it was on fire.

      He chose this no one else. The Sheriffs said that they found him dead and they were able to go into the house and put out the fire so why couldn’t he get out or why didn’t he get out is the question?

      There is still no cause of death so as far as we all know he could have killed himself.

      Also the police don’t have to have the gas shut off in a home when they are trying to detain a suspect imagine that the gas company would have to have a department just for that, that statement doesn’t even make sense.

      It is unfortunate that he lost his life whatever the circumstances.

  2. i knew kaos since I was real young he taught me a lot and always looked out for people no matter what… He was a good person with a big heart really sorry to hear this horrible news all I can say is keep your head and brush off all these rude comments only you know the truth about your dad. God bless

  3. Ya he was a person and not all felons are bad…coming from my own personal experiences people get wrongfully accused of something they didn’t do because of people pointing the fingers at someone and saying they did something when it is not even true..they play a victim but they are actually a criminal for making up stories..anyone can call the cops on someone and put another in a false situation..but of course since they play victim ..guess who gets the blame and goes thru hell trying to fight in court and overall takes the strike when they didnt even do the crime..happens all the time..just personally went thru it..and now I look at the system from a different point of view.. Unfair and injustice…

    • Well this felon obviously was, he had a stand off with swat, he had a gun. Felons are not allowed to own firearms.

      • I obviously know that duh..and I am saying he is a person too.but I also understand that he did have several chances to come out and he chose not to so yes the police had to do what was necessary…but like I said he was also someone’s son or brother ..just because of the way things are handled..doesn’t mean someone is meant to die..but it shows that is what he wanted…and he did not have a stand off..he made no threat to the officers ..he barricaded himself inside the home ..he knew he was not coming out alive..they knew that…he had a gun but doesn’t mean he attempted to use it…

  4. Why is the mother not allowed to identify her own son or a family member. This whole mess is very shady just saying

  5. I think people are sick of the drug dealing hood rats that have all these family members that talk about what a great person they are and try to say everything is unfair. The guy was a felon with a gun in a standoff with police who were investigating him for dealing drugs. Yeah he had parents and relatives and people that he became friends with in prison, but it the idea is to try to only sing his praises at the expense of the police who he forced into action, then that’s stupid. Good job police department. We want you to keep trying to protect us from lawbreakers and when a felon has a gun, please go take that gun from the felon. And to that person that commented he wouldn’t have been selling drugs if people didn’t buy them, so it’s not his fault, I say go arrest the people buying and him, round them all up and keep them away from our kids.

  6. RIP to you, so sorry that this world is the way it is. Now for everyone else, we’ve got to help others, and help ourselves to stay away from trouble. Be careful out here, there are people in gangs getting paid to recruit you, get you addicted, get you high and control your mind, rape you, sell you for sex. Have you ever seen someone soooo high out of there mind that they don’t even know what the hell happened, well you don’t want to be like that. There are gangs that are out there to get you like that and use you. You might think its all fun and games, but it some serious stuff. Don’t let your guard down. Turn away from the bulls**t and sit down and think of how you can help yourself in positive ways, you don’t need drugs, you might get addicted, and you don’t need friends that are on drugs or about trouble. I know that some don’t find out until its to late, but when you realize, do everything to stop yourself from hanging around it. It will only mess you up, and in the end you’ll be kicking yourself for it. So, please lets all find ways to be more positive and do better things in life. I’m tired of hearing young people killing each other, and getting into trouble. It not only effects you, but it effects your family and everyone else. May God Bless US ALL!!! God is in all of us, now go out there and do your best to represent him, his holiness. Do right, because you can’t go wrong if you do. Thank You for listening..

  7. I knew him he was the sweetest most kind hearted young black man i’ve seen on a long long time I think his mother did a great job raising k. I pray for his family and ask god to heal the hurting hearts in the name of jesus! Rip k u will be missed!!!!

      • ♡To Michael’s Family & the BILLION Friends you had acquired thru out ur lifetime my homie..Today is definetly the saddest day of my Life..He might of been a “Felon” in the laws eyes..but he also was a son,a brother,a cuzn,a father, a lover,a HOMIE 4 LIFE, & a LIFETIME FRIEND 4 anyone who was LUCKY enough to come in contact with him…He had a ♡HEART♡ of SOLID GOLD & he would give u his last dollar if u needed it…he was the DEFINITION of a “MAN TRUE 2 HIS WORD”!!!!..I had the HONOR 2 know this MAN,not “felon”..4 some years now,& from the 1st time we met till the time he was sent up above..he has always had my back & ALWAYS CAME THRU IF I NEEDED HIM..he will TRULY BE MISSED BY EVERYONE…So to ALL U [removed] who want to judge my homie..from the papers to the news & all the LIES tht have been thrown out their to cover up some OUT RIGHT [removed] that them P.I.G.S. want to spread…JUSTICE WILL PREVAIL & THE TRUTH WILL BE SET FREE…Soooo if you dont know this MAN aka..KhOaZ..dont dare leave some [removed] up message up on here..cuz you dont know the WRATH u will FEEL..from all DA HOMIES UP IN HERE…♡love♡ & Miss you homie..U WILL NEVER BE FORGOTTEN! !

        • K I MISS U ALREADY BUT I KNOW NOWYOUR WITH MY BROTHER DEAK …..LOOK WE ALL MAKE BAD DECISSIONS BUT THATS PART OF LIFE.YESK MAY HAVE BEEN AFELLON BUT IT WAS NEVER BEACUSE HE HURT ANY ONE YES HE BROKEA LAW OR 2 BUT IF ITWASNOT FOR THE LAW BREAKERS THEN THESE COPS WOULD NOT HAVE JOBS,,,,CAN SOMEONE TELL ME WHY EVERY ROOM IN THE HOUSE WAS BURNT EXCEPT FOR THE ROOM HEWAS FOUND INAND WHY WAS HE USED FOR TARGET PRACTIC,,,,AND IF NOTHIING WAS WRONG WITH WHAT WAS GOING ON THEN Y DID THECOPS TAKETHE PEOPLES PHONEAND GO THREW THEM
          \

  9. Last Friday there was yet another incident where a long stand-off between a “convicted felon” and the LASD ended in the death of the “convicted felon”. As is always the case, there are several comments stating “they didn’t have to kill him”, “they could have used non-lethal weapons”, “he was just scared and they should have waited him out”, etc. Here’s my question for TCAL and ALL of the other “Community Based Organizations (CBO)” who will undoubtedly hold a press conference: is there a 24-hour hotline available for anyone to call to get the leaders of these CBO’s to immediately respond to volatile situations such as the one from last Friday? Since the news reporters can make it to every one of these incidents, surely there’s a way for the CBO leaders to do the same? Surely if one of these leaders were present they could have helped this situation turn out different? I can’t recall ever reading that V. Jesse Smith, Pharaoh Mitchell, Ansar “Stan” Muhammad, Emmett Murrell, or ANY of the other CBO leaders being present at ANY of these types of incidents. However, they sure have no problem playing Monday-morning quarterback at press conferences held days after the incident, where the environment is safe and the heat-of-the moment no longer exists. Maybe if these leaders were present at these incidents the outcome would be different? If there’s not a 24-hour hotline available, and the CBO leaders really care about making a difference, these leaders will offer their personal cell phone numbers to the public so we, the community, can ensure that these leaders have an opportunity to actually affect the outcome. They could then be afforded a front-row seat of the incident, see it happen with their own eyes, and would be able to speak factually, rather than using the “opinions” of others.

    Just a thought…

  10. Didn’t know him. Wish he would have given up (if what the article says is true). Rest in peace, your burden is over.

  13. This is the part I don’t understand. What ever happened to the 10 commandments? “Thou shalt not bear false witness against thy neighbour’s”. Every one of you who are saying negative things should not put a label on someone who I’m sure was a great person in his own way. It’s funny because if the shoe was on the other foot and this was your family member and you know who the person really is and you know he or she was so nice and loving but made stupid choices and the media just makes them out to be some horrible monster or needed to be off the streets and making it look like the day is saved because he died it’s mind blowing. This is what is wrong with the world so many people judging others when it’s not there place only God should judge someone when it’s there time not some low life and I feel like if the police did kill him no one should be able to take someone’s life who didn’t give to them… all I’m saying is this world is [removed] not because of the water is low or the gas it’s the people in the world who are making it end this generation is so [removed] up when they are in there 30’s and they have a new generation this world is going to self destruck

    • Pissed
      To clarify… this world is messed up because people on this website don’t follow the 10 commandments? The armed felon drug dealer is not a problem, it’s people on this site and the police?

      • @truth this world is [removed] up because of society. The police are not the problem the only reason every one is saying the police is wat is wrong and it’s not at all. The police want to go home to there family at the end of the day and half the time they get false information and they react on that someone mite say they have a gun even if they don’t and they get killed cuz the police don’t know if u have a gun or not.. and as for the drug dealer so wat if he was a drug dealer would u rather he rob ppl to get his money? He Is trying to make it out here in this [removed] up place.. I’m sure if he would get on gr/walfair they yall going to start bitching about u pay taxes and he just on his ass getting our money.. like when is enough enough ppl need to stick together to better this world

        • @shut up
          Again, the guy dealing drugs locked in his house with a weapon he should not have is our call to stick together to make this world better? What does that mean? I think the world would be better without drug dealers, armed felons, and mentally unstable people that don’t contribute to society. It seems like your version of sticking together to make this world better entails supporting the bad choices of this young man instead of viewing him and his choices as the problem that keeps the world from being better.

  14. I SEE NONE OF YOU HAVE ANY THING POSOTIVE TO DO WITH YOUR LIFE..UR NO BETTER than THE [removed]UR TALKIN..ITS PEOPLE LIKE YALL IGNORANT BASTARDS THAT SHOULDA BURNED N THAT FIRE..SI CE YOU HAVE SO MUCH TO SAY..MAKE A CHANGE FOR OUR FUTURE I STEAD OF MAKIN HER FEEL WORSE ABOUT THE SITUATION.

      • Ted Bundy was somebody’s son, John Wayne Gacy was somebody’s son. Adolph Hitler was somebody’s son. What’s your point? Cliché much?

        • Done you are absolutely right. Thug life didn’t chose him he chose the thug life. He chose to deal drugs, He chose to have a stand off with LEO’s He chose to own a gun and I will remind you a felon is not legally allowed to have.

          • $…WOW… $
            $…All I can say is to the MOFO’Z (aka..Done & This,Just this)…We all have a right to our own opinion, we have the right to judge before gettn to know someone, & we have the right of Free speech..So before you get all BRAVE & start leaving comments on a man who was LOVED by many & touched ALOT of lives…I would really consider, jumping off this message board & just not say ANYYHING at ALL about a man you NEVER KNEW!!!..Now im just advising you….How DARE u JUDGE anyone like you have of our friend,, and by the way, he has a name..and its not “FELON” or “ARMED & DANGEROUS THUG”..his name is Michael L. Soares..DONT FORGET IT!!!…You all can say all this [removed] about how he chose to be this way & how its his fault & the police were doing their job..HAHAHA…I [removed] LAUGH at ur down right stupidity….Police are to protect & serve an to try all tactics in a situation like this one…Why is it necessary to have all that & more for 1 man..what they did was UNCALLED FOR & COMPLETELY UNNECCESARY….He wasnt shootn at them,they didnt even know he had a weapon…So please tell me,why what they did was necessary…U know what..it wasnt!!!
            You all dont know wht my homie was going thru before he was taken from us,so for to leave these kind of comments anout a man you never knew…DONT!!!
            WE all know how the police run their [removed] out here & pdale..and i will just say this..if the color of your skin isnt like “Snow White’s”…or …ur not driving a beat up car..but a Cadi..ur ass is gettn harassed NO MATTER what or let me rephrase that,un will be spending sometime in county,& ur papers will get lost & ur ass will be locked up for god knows how long…So before you all start leavn your comments..PLEASE THINK ABOUT WHAT UR GUNNA WRITE BOUT OUR HOMIE…&..about his FAMILY & his daughters who will read this….

          • you have no right to put him in the same categories as those people. Yea maybe he was a drug dealer or a felon but this world out here is cold & im pretty sure he was just trying to get by like the rest of us. You dont know him or his situation so please shut tf up. He probably owned a gun for his OWN PROTECTION cause apparently the police aint protecting people. So how bout you stop kissing the laws ass and see the bigger picture

  15. I am very sorry for your lost I will keep your family in my prayers.
    Now for those of you that are passing judgement the paper never said he was a Thug just because a man has a record don’t make him a thug the world today is so fast to put a tag on a person. No matter what you think about this man he was a son, a brother, an uncle, a friend, a cousin, and most of all a father. People are so fast to say none of my friends are thugs or black, but to be honest with you the ones that make these statements don’t know what goes on behind close doors, white man killing off children in school police killing our children. Shame on you for being disrespectful to his daughter. Be careful what you speak out of your mouth shame shame on you for judging. Baby girl don’t allow these people to take up space in your head he was your father and you love him cherish the happy times don’t let nobody take that from you. Praying for you.

    • So incredibly sad what kind of society we live in. There seems to be no compassion any more, especially when it comes to young black men. Prayers go out to his family. RIP. People, please stop being so ignorant.

  16. Had I not read the comments myself, I would not believe there are people in this valley who are actually happy that a man. they didn’t even know. died in what may have been a horrible, torturous death.
    The article says he was a convicted felon, which must mean he served the time the law required and then was legally released to get on with his life. The article does not say why there was an arrest warrant for him. Maybe it was for something horrible, or maybe for instance he did not make it home before his parole curfew.
    None of us know enough of what happen and why to place blame on anyone. There is a new law this year that requires quarterly reporting of deaths in custody and during arrests. Hopefully this death will be reported, not to place blame, but so that it can be researched and lead to better outcomes.

    • They gave him enough chances to come out & surrender But he ignore them so if anything its his fault he’s were he’s at cus he made that choice!

  17. All those who have a bunch of [removed] to say all due respect stay off this page only a [removed] person will talk about someone who dead and gone and can’t defend there self really get a life also keep in mind karma is a [removed]!!!

    • It’s funny I don’t see where they got his name right. Before you write maybe you should know more.

    • Co worker you mean friend [removed] stop hating and judgeingt god don’t like ugly and not fond of pretty either I can bet theirs not a person including itself that has blessed more people than Michael has pray and ask for forgiveness cause you are a sinner wow now who being judged [removed]

  19. If he would of gave up he only get just a few years. Just for having a shotgun he would have been out in a year.

    • That depends. If it was a shotgun with a barrel shorter than 18″, that’s a federal crime on top of being a felon in possession of a firearm.

  20. The valley…whats worse the enviorment controling you? Are you? Most of the people on hear posts are the politicly correct things to post. Wounder if they ever thought for themselves, outside of what is safe? This looks simular to what ISIL does to americans, please reply with good and bad coms.

  22. You all must be cops or their little [removed], because no decent person would say the things you have said, nontheless you dont know the whole story and just because its in the papers or the cops have said it doesnt make it true, cops cover up stuff all the time to cover their [removed]. Some of us were close enough to the incident that we heard and saw stuff that just doesnt add up to what the papers are saying….know there are many holes in the story.
    I hope things dont go bad in your perfect little lives, but know when and if it does, you have it coming. Not one of you is funny quite disturbing actually. Hope the sheriffs dont get wind of someone like you, DISTURBED because all of you or even one of you may end up being the topic of a story everyones commenting on. LOL

    • Michele
      Or you may end up hiding in a house with a gun and a felonious past. It could be any of us. The point is that the police were wrong and this guy is just like you and i. It’s us against the evil police!

  24. RIP my boy u will be missed lots really have nothing but love from the Foi that has a lot of heart mother [removed] that be talking [removed] dont know the [removed] we go through just to survive

  25. That man is my father. You guys know nothing but what the paper says. You guys are a bunch of lo life’s who have to be negative. If it was one of your family members I guarantee you wouldn’t be saying such hateful and awful things.

    • Alissa dont listen to what anyone else has to say. They know absolutely nothing about the situation or your father. Cherish the memories not the negativity from others that hide behind harsh words. Im sure your father would say who cares what they say or think and dont let it get to you. Keep your head up.
      I went to school with your uncle tony, my prayers are with you.

    • Sorry for your loss I went to High school with your father we was a good guy prayers for you and your fam

    • Hopefully things will brighten up in the near future for you baby girl two losses is so tragic love you.God Bless!

    • Alissa, we love you and your father. Just know there’s only one judge, Baby. Don’t let this ignorance from ppl who don’t know what their talking about steer you from remaining strong. Your Dad is at peace now, nobody can hurt him. Keep your help head high, it’ll take you time…. But you will heal. Bug hugs to you all.

    • Alisha I knew your father pretty well and he is nothing like what the media portrays. No ones perfect but your dad was a good person, he had a good heart. I’m so sorry for your loss.

    • They are cowards that’s why they are on the Internet tryna feel good about themselves. Not one of em would have the guys to say that to someone face to face in person.

    • Alicia, You probably shouldn’t read anymore comments from here on out. This world is a cruel, cruel place which passes judgment on people they do not know. I didn’t know your father, but my sister grew up with him from elementary on up through high school. May God comfort you in your loss. Your father may have made some bad choices in life, but I know above all that he was human and he deserves to be remembered positively.

  26. Judge one they judge All. Regardless of his antics that led to that moment, he was a Father, someone’s son, a brother… A human being. He wasn’t known for murder or hurting women and children, he had a drug charge against him and was known to have weapons in his possession. When its one of your own…then preach on how much of a justice it is to kill someone who doesn’t deserve to die. What fairy tale do you all live in? We live in this world. Real people live, and real people die. IIt’s never fair to have to put someone you love into the ground because they made mistakes and their lives fall into the hands of another. My thoughts and prayers to your family Mike, we love you, Man and pray for the strength for your daughters the most. God bless. I’ll forever remember memories at VHS