–SHOTS FIRED BY MAN BARRICADED IN HIS HOME–
–ONGOING SITUATION FORCES LARGE POLICE RESPONSE, ROAD CLOSURES, NEIGHBORHOOD EVACUATION–
Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports a standoff between an armed man and police at the man’s Southeast home today (Monday).
The incident began at about 12:15 PM, after the man reportedly made a telephone call in which he expressed thoughts of suicide and threatened to use violence against any police officers who came to his house. The person who received that call notified the Sheriff’s Office.
Sheriff’s deputies and state troopers were dispatched to the man’s house, located on Nichols Road in Southeast near the intersection with Route 121. When they arrived there, the sound of gunshots was heard coming from the residence.
The Putnam Emergency Response Team (ERT)-a special weapons and tactics unit comprised of sheriff’s deputies and officers from the Carmel and Kent Police Departments-was dispatched to the scene. The ERT, sheriff’s deputies and investigators, and state police troopers and investigators established a perimeter around the house.
Nichols Road and a nearby portion of Route 121 was closed to traffic. Authorities evacuated several nearby residences-using an armored vehicle to transport some residents and utilized an automated telephone call to warn persons in the area to stay inside their homes.
The situation was still ongoing at the time of this News Release. Further information will follow as new developments occur.
