Suicidal man held after shootout with Concord police

A suicidal man was arrested after he exchanged gunfire with Concord police, authorities said Wednesday.

No one was hurt in the Tuesday night shootout on the 1700 block of Sharon Drive, police said. Rodney Baker, 38, of Concord was arrested on suspicion of assault with a firearm on a police officer, negligent discharge of a firearm and spousal battery.

The incident began when Baker’s wife called police about 8:10 p.m. Tuesday, saying he was intoxicated, had several handguns and had threatened to shoot and kill himself, police said.

Officers found an agitated Baker yelling in the backyard, but he retreated into a detached cottage on the property, said Concord police Lt. David Hughes.

Police tried to negotiate with Baker, but at 8:40 p.m. he fired a gun from inside the cottage, prompting police to call in the SWAT team and evacuate neighbors, Hughes said.

During the standoff, Baker opened fire at officers who had taken up positions around the cottage, police said. An officer returned fire in self-defense but did not hit the suspect, Hughes said. Baker continued firing at officers over the next 15 minutes, police said.

Baker emerged from the cottage at 9:10 p.m. but refused to give up, Hughes said. A police K-9 took him into custody, police said. He was taken to a hospital for treatment before being booked at Contra Costa County Jail in Martinez, where he is being held in lieu of $450,000 bail.

Henry K. Lee is a San Francisco Chronicle staff writer. E-mail: hlee@sfchronicle.com Twitter: @henryklee