Suspect Surrenders In SWAT Incident At Morningside Home

MORNINGSIDE (KDKA) -- The man who barricaded himself inside a home in the city's Morningside neighborhood Friday evening has surrendered.

Police and the SWAT team were called to the 1200-block of Jancey Street just before 5 p.m.

They were airing out the volleys of teargas Friday night that were fired into the home. It followed a domestic dispute between a man and his wife.

"She had removed herself from the house," said Pittsburgh Police spokesperson Sonya Toler. "The male, however, basically barricaded himself inside."

The man, who is identified as 67-year-old Paul Ryms is believed to have guns and was threatening to take his own life.

Whenever weapons are involved, police are quick to call out the SWAT team. Just after 6 p.m., they arrived. A short time later, they fired a flash bang into the house.

When that didn't work, they fired several rounds of teargas. Finally, more than two hours later, Ryms, who owns a local real estate agency, surrendered.

"There was no injury to anyone. The male inside has surrendered," said Toler.

Friends of the family say the couple has been troubled over a family tragedy that happened years ago.

"Knowing what they've been through, it's understandable," said family friend Margie Dawson. "They lost a child about 14 years ago. It's understandable."

Ryms is in custody just before 7:20 p.m.. He will face charges of simple assault.

And as SWAT team members marched out of the neighborhood, they were greeted by applause from residents who thanked them for ending the incident peacefully.

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