Skyline Elementary School put on lockdown during barricade situation

SAN TAN VALLEY, AZ - A 37-year-old man is in police custody after barricading himself inside a San Tan Valley home Tuesday.

Maricopa County Sheriff's spokesman Brandon Jones said the suspect, Mark Matheny, tried to hang himself with a telephone cord before being taken into police custody.

Detectives believe that Matheny fled Maricopa County to Pinal County where he barricaded himself inside a San Tan Valley home near Gary Road and the Hunt Highway.

MCSO deputies and Pinal County Sheriff's Office SWAT officers were able to pull the residents out of the home, including a 4-year-old girl.

Matheny is wanted in connection with the attempted murder of his wife by allegedly beating her and stabbing her several times. Jones said during that incident, Matheny was armed with brass knuckles and a knife with a 6-inch blade.

Pinal County Sheriff's spokesman Elias Johnson said Skyline Ranch Elementary was placed on lockdown during the barricade. Johnson said everyone at the school was OK.