VISTA, Calif. (NBC 7) — Malcolm Pope, 26, has been charged with the murder of his mother, Mireya Pope, after a tragic incident in Vista that led to an hours-long SWAT standoff.
The criminal complaint against Pope alleges that he killed his mother with a knife sometime between April 22 and April 23. Neighbors of the family claimed they had long suspected abuse, stating that they had heard Mireya Pope scream during the night and were fearful of Malcolm Pope’s erratic behavior. Some neighbors reported seeing him act confrontational and make unsettling threats, mentioning his belief in demons and the devil.
The situation came to a head on Wednesday, April 23, when Mireya Pope’s daughter called police for a welfare check after not hearing from her mother for two days. Upon entering the home, deputies discovered Mireya Pope’s body with clear signs of trauma. Malcolm Pope, however, had barricaded himself inside a bedroom. After a standoff that lasted several hours, a SWAT team and crisis negotiators took Pope into custody around 5 p.m.
In a brief court appearance on Friday, Malcolm Pope pleaded not guilty to the charges. He is currently being held without bail and is set to appear in court again on May 5.
The case has raised concerns over domestic abuse and the escalating violence that led to this tragic event.
