WEST MIFFLIN (KDKA) — A neighborhood in West Mifflin was evacuated Monday after authorities say a man threatened to harm himself with an explosive device.

According to people at the New Colony mobile home park, the 47-year-old man had gotten into an argument with his mother when he threatened to turn a gun on himself and claimed he had a bomb inside his home.

The Allegheny County Bomb Squad was called and several nearby homes were evacuated.

“They made sure that the neighborhood was safe and they evacuated everybody to that side of the trailer park and just kept everything safe and talked him out of it,” said John Davis, a neighbor who was evacuated.

Police began negotiating with the resident and he eventually surrendered peacefully.

Police searched the house and found several sparklers attached to shotgun shells, a smoke bomb and a BB gun.

Davis says he knows the resident and was surprised by his behavior.

“He’s just that type of guy; I never expected this from him. He’s always happy, always joyful,” said Davis. “He bought me a couple dollar lottery tickets a month ago. It’s just out of the blue.”

The man has not been identified. He was taken to UPMC McKeesport Hospital for mental health evaluation and could face charges.

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