Police: Argument escalated after man sprayed by skunk

DENVER - Police say what started as a domestic violence call early Wednesday morning turned into a SWAT situation after a man was sprayed by a skunk.

Denver Police say they received a report of domestic violence at around 3 a.m. They responded to East 38th Avenue near Newport Street where a man was holding his girlfriend hostage with a machete.

The suspect had been arguing with his girlfriend and then went into the backyard where he ran into a skunk. Police say the skunk sprayed the man, which upset him even more, and he grabbed a machete and dragged his girlfriend into the backyard.

That's when police say they arrived on the scene.

Hours later, SKY9 showed at least three people leaving the home but their relation to the situation is unknown.

SWAT teams surrounded the house and made entry shortly before 8 a.m. but it was not immediately known if the suspect was still inside the home. Police say the scene was cleared by 8:15 a.m., but didn't release details.

As a precaution, police closed East 38th Avenue near Newport Street. It has since reopened.