SWAT Team Activated Following Domestic Battery and Armed Standoff in Portage
PORTAGE — A Portage man is facing multiple felony charges after a domestic battery incident escalated into an hours-long armed standoff that prompted the activation of SWAT and Crisis Negotiation teams.
According to the Portage Police Department, officers were called at approximately 9:40 a.m. to the 3000 block of Dutch Mill Street on Saturday, January 17, 2026, for a reported domestic battery. The adult female victim told officers that her brother, 39-year-old Charles Murphy, had battered her, struck her in the face and head, and smashed her phone during an argument inside the home.
Police said the victim was forced to flee to a neighbor’s house to seek help. She reported that Murphy had been acting erratically, claiming something was wrong with the plumbing, before becoming aggressive and attacking her. While the victim was escaping, Murphy allegedly threatened to shoot anyone who came to the house and slashed all four tires on the victim’s vehicle parked in the driveway.
Responding officers observed Murphy inside the residence armed with a shotgun, placing the weapon and ammunition on a second floor window ledge. Murphy allegedly opened the window and threatened officers, stating he would fill the house with gas and blow it up.
A perimeter was established, nearby residents were evacuated, and the department’s Crisis Negotiation Team and SWAT Team were activated.
Negotiators made repeated attempts to contact Murphy by phone over several hours. Police said he ignored most calls and, when he did answer, shouted profanities, made nonsensical statements, and refused to cooperate. Murphy was informed multiple times that he was under arrest and ordered to surrender, but continued to barricade himself inside the home.
SWAT officers later deployed chemical agents into the residence, which initially appeared to have an effect. Murphy attempted to exit through a lower-level window before retreating back inside. A short time later, Murphy exited onto the front porch armed with a large knife in a sheath on his hip and refused repeated commands to comply.
Due to the armed non-compliance, officers deployed a less-than-lethal impact projectile, incapacitating Murphy long enough for officers to take him into custody. The standoff ended approximately three hours after it began.
A 12-gauge shotgun, a sword, and five large knives were recovered from the scene, along with additional ammunition found throughout the residence. Murphy was transported to the hospital for evaluation before being medically cleared and booked into the Porter County Jail.
Police say the victim sustained bruising, swelling, and redness to her face and head, as well as a subconjunctival hemorrhage to the eye. She was treated at the scene and declined transport to the hospital.
Murphy has been charged with:
- Intimidation (Level 5 felony) – two counts
- Domestic Battery Resulting in Moderate Bodily Injury (Level 6 felony)
- Resisting Law Enforcement (Level 6 felony)
- Interfering with Reporting a Crime (A-misdemeanor)
- Criminal Mischief (A-misdemeanor)
Portage Police extended thanks to the Portage Fire Department, NIPSCO, Porter County Emergency Management Agency, neighbors who assisted during evacuations, and the Porter County EMA for providing a heated mobile command center during extreme weather conditions.
