WASHINGTON (7News) — The man arrested for engaging in a violent standoff with the Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) in Southeast was in the process of facing an eviction, according to court documents filed in Superior Court.
Stephen Rattigan, also known under the alias "Julius James" is accused of shooting three MPD officers when they arrived to his home, serving an arrest warrant on behalf of the Humane Rescue Alliance for cruelty to animals. A fourth officer was also injured.
Investigators reported a total of 31 dogs were found inside the 48-year-old man's home: 11 puppies and 20 adult dogs.
One neighbor told 7News she knew Rattigan, and could not believe the new details surfacing about this case.
"We all thought it was just 10 [dogs]. He literally brings the dogs out. As you can see behind me, I have a clear shot of his backyard," said Tammy Alexander.
Rattigan provided the name Julius James to his landlord to rent the home. The court documents filed refer to Rattigan as "Julius James."
Alexander said she had no idea Rattigan was going by multiple names.
"I never went to him and asked his name. He's only been here for a few years," Alexander said.
Court documents filed by Rattigan’s landlord show a 30-day notice was given in April 2023, claiming Rattigan, “has two dogs pit bulls [sic] attacked a 2-year-old and her guardian.”
The eviction notice states James had until the end of May to get rid of his dogs or vacate the house on Hanna Place SE.
By January 2024, the landlord filed grounds for eviction, due to Rattigan's failure to get rid of the dogs.
That same month, the Washington Humane Society received a call from a neighbor concerned there were dogs being neglected in Rattigan's home.
An Animal Control officer arrived at the home January 6, 2024, but smelled a "strong odor of dog feces and urine" while still outside by the front door. The officer knocked on the door, but didn't get an answer, and left a notice of a failure to provide "proper air, light, space."
Just a few days later, the Washington Humane Society received video showing what appeared to be Rattigan punching a dog "in the face six times, causing the dog to yelp each time."
"I see this man every day. I greet him every day. He greets me every day. I watch him put the dogs in his car, take them to the park, do different things with them. That was extremely surprising when I heard that," Alexander said.
Rattigan faced a judge on Thursday who ordered he be held without bond hours after the injured police officers were released from a hospital.
During the hearing, it was revealed that Rattigan is now facing additional charges, including assault with intent to kill while armed.
Court documents revealed all three officers who were shot were hit in the lower left leg, with one of those officers also suffering a graze wound to the left arm.
"God bless those officers and thank God for their healing. I'm also very, very grateful they didn't take this man's life because of a mistake. I just feel that in my heart," Alexander said.
Alexander's backyard camera video shows the moment officers ran toward Rattigan's home some time after the shooting.
Rattigan's defense argued that he should be released on personal recognizance, but ultimately a judge decided there was probable cause that he committed the crimes. Upon his lawyer's request, he will receive a forensic evaluation.
Rattigan is scheduled to appear in court again on February 29, officials said.
The Humane Rescue Alliance shared the following statement:
“Throughout the course of our investigation, our Humane Law Enforcement officers obtained evidence of the suspect allegedly striking and punching a dog, and we obtained an arrest warrant on charges of animal cruelty. At the end of the day on February 14, after the suspect was taken into custody, our officers removed 31 dogs - 20 adults and 11 puppies - from the house on the 5000 block of Hanna Place SE. They range in age from 2 months to several years old. All of the dogs appear to be American Bullies, or some mix thereof.
So many of you have reached out about the dogs, and we appreciate how much you want to help them. Right now, our priority is to focus on their care and wellbeing, and to allow them to settle in after what was an exceptionally traumatic day in their lives. For those of you who are looking to add a new pet to their family, we do have nearly 100 adoptable dogs who are looking for loving new homes,
Earlier today, our three colleagues from the Metropolitan Police Department, who were shot while serving the arrest warrant, were released from the hospital. We are thrilled and relieved that they are on the mend, and the whole HRA team is thinking about them, and their loved ones, as they recover. While we are always grateful for their partnership, we especially want to honor them today. Together with our own field services officers, our MPD partners encounter unpredictable and volatile situations in the course of our work. We truly could not fulfill our mission without them, and we thank them for their courage.”
