Domestic Dispute Suspect Climbs Onto Roof In Homewood, Refuses To Come Down
PITTSBURGH (KDKA) -- A man is facing charges following a standoff in Homewood Friday.
It all started around 10 a.m. as a domestic dispute between the man and a woman, and the man ended up climbing onto a roof, bringing the SWAT team to the neighborhood.
He was on the roof for about an hour.
Lavar Harris, 29, stood dangerously close to the edge of the roof. Other times, he walked around the roof making gestures while talking to police.
"He was very agitated as he was up there on the roof, and obviously, refusing to come down," said Pittsburgh Public Safety spokesperson Emily Schaffer.
It all started during an apparent domestic dispute at the home in the 7700-block of Bennett Street.
"A male and a female," said Schaffer. "The female did sustain some minor injuries and was transferred to Shadyside Hospital. At that point, we tried to speak with the male half of the domestic and he refused to come out."
When the SWAT team arrived, Harris climbed on the roof with no apparent weapons. Police say they later found several weapons inside the home.
A Pittsburgh Fire Bureau aerial truck was the first to arrive at the scene, and several firefighters tried to talk Harris into coming down. But he didn't respond until members of the police SWAT team showed up.
Several officers climbed up the ladder while others used another ladder to approach him from the front. Once they got a chance to confront and talk to him, Harris surrendered and was taken to the Allegheny County Jail.
"We're very happy that the situation ended peacefully," said Schaffer.
Harris is charged with assault and unlawful restraint.
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