Shots Fired During Butler Standoff; Man In Custody
Police Surround Home In Lancaster Township
POSTED: 7:25 pm EDT March 17, 2010
UPDATED: 11:54 pm EDT March 17, 2010
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LANCASTER TOWNSHIP, Pa. -- Police took a man into custody Wednesday night after shots were fired during a standoff involving police at a home in Lancaster Township, Butler County.WTAE Channel 4 Action News' Jon Greiner reported that the incident started at about 5 p.m. when two Lancaster Township police officers attempted to serve Gary Phillips, 57, an involuntary mental health commitment at his Liberty Road home.Video - 
Watch Jon Greiner's ReportGreiner said that police had been notified by a crisis intervention center that Phillips was threatening suicide."When we were attempting to gain access to the residence, he fired a shot. At that point, it became a barricaded gunman. We backed off, secured the scene and called SERT [State Police Emergency Response Team] in," said Lancaster Township police Officer David Sitler.Police said Phillips fired another shot, but SERT members got him to surrender without having to fire a shot or tear gas of their own.A few families living in the neighborhood were forced to evacuate their homes, but were allowed to return at about 8:30 p.m.Police have not said if Phillips will face charges.
Watch Jon Greiner's ReportGreiner said that police had been notified by a crisis intervention center that Phillips was threatening suicide."When we were attempting to gain access to the residence, he fired a shot. At that point, it became a barricaded gunman. We backed off, secured the scene and called SERT [State Police Emergency Response Team] in," said Lancaster Township police Officer David Sitler.Police said Phillips fired another shot, but SERT members got him to surrender without having to fire a shot or tear gas of their own.A few families living in the neighborhood were forced to evacuate their homes, but were allowed to return at about 8:30 p.m.Police have not said if Phillips will face charges. |
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