Armed Standoff at House in Southeast Ends in Man’s Suicide

Putnam County Sheriff Donald B. Smith reports that a standoff between an armed man and police at the man’s Southeast home yesterday (Monday) ended after the man died in an apparent suicide. The deceased man has been identified as Mr. George S. Bateman, aged 60, of 29 Nichols Road in the Town of Southeast.

According to preliminary reports, Mr. Bateman telephoned his life insurance agent around midday on Monday and expressed thoughts of suicide. He also reportedly threatened to use violence against any police officers who came to his house. The insurance agent notified the Sheriff’s Office about Mr. Bateman’s call.

Sheriff’s deputies and state troopers went to Mr. Bateman’s home, where he lived alone, to check on his welfare. When they arrived there, they heard several gunshots being fired inside the residence. Investigators have not yet determined whether any of those shots exited the house.

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.

During the standoff, Mr. Bateman momentarily came outside the front door of his house, holding a handgun and wearing a bullet-proof vest. A sheriff’s negotiator telephoned Mr. Bateman and attempted to persuade him to come out of the house without his weapon, but those discussions were unsuccessful.

A short time later, a state police remote-controlled robot was sent inside the house, whereupon it was discovered that Mr. Bateman had apparently taken his own life with a firearm. He was pronounced dead at the scene. The Putnam County Coroner’s Office has ordered an autopsy to determine the exact cause of death.

Authorities entered the residence and found two loaded revolvers and a number of spent bullet casings on the floor. They also found three pet dogs inside; the animals were unharmed and arrangements were made for their care.

Nichols Road and a nearby portion of Route 121 were closed to traffic for about seven hours during the standoff. Authorities evacuated persons from five neighboring residences, using an armored vehicle to safely transport the occupants of four of those homes. An automated telephone mass-call was utilized to warn persons in the area to stay inside their homes during the incident.