Man Barricades Himself In White Oak Home, SWAT Team Called To Scene
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WHITE OAK (KDKA) -- Neighbors were on edge Wednesday morning in White Oak as the SWAT team surrounded a home where a young man barricaded himself inside.
Authorities were called to the 3000-block of State Street just before 4 a.m. Wednesday morning.
KDKA's Amy Wadas confirmed with firefighters on the scene that officers from multiple agencies including SWAT officers and Allegheny County Police were surrounding a home on State Street.
"I walked up the alley. The police were entering the back door of the home. I thought maybe the situation was over at that time, but then a police officer came right to me, told me go back home or at least go back to the immediate area," said Charles Linn, who lives behind the home of the suspect.
#UPDATE: Crews on scene tell us a 20 year old suicidal man is holed up inside his home on State Street in White Oak. They say he stole a 9 mm gun from family members then shot at police before shooting himself in shoulder. No one else hurt. @KDKA #KDKA #upwithKDKA @kdka2vidguy pic.twitter.com/PcWTFRWSpJ
— Amy Wadas (@AmyWadas) January 2, 2019
Officials on scene of the incident say that a 20-year-old man barricaded himself inside the home. Police say that the man sent suicidal text messages to family members before stealing a 9mm handgun from family members.
Police say that the man shot at police before he shot himself in the shoulder. SWAT officers spoke with the man who is reportedly going in and out of consciousness.
"It's kind of scary it's in your backyard. He fired at police, certainly don't want that to happen," said Linn. "That's scary, and if he's depressed and down on his luck, hey, I've been there myself before, but you don't want to see the guy shoot himself, so it's a scary situation."
A bullet hole could be seen in an upstairs bedroom window.
You can see a bullet hole in the upper left window of the home where this SWAT situation on State Street in White Oak occurred. @KDKA #KDKA #UpWithKDKA @kdka2vidguy pic.twitter.com/zOY5gt8OXD
— Amy Wadas (@AmyWadas) January 2, 2019
According to officials, the man just purchased the home within the past several months.
Authorities closed State Street between California Avenue and Deleware Avenue.
Due to police activity in White Oak, there are not only restrictions on State St, but we're also getting reports of restrictions on Foster St. @AmyWadas @KDKA pic.twitter.com/P9jTlk6wzQ
— Celina Pompeani (@CelinaPompeani) January 2, 2019
A negotiator with Allegheny County SWAT was able to get the man to put down his gun and agree to be treated. He was taken to a local hospital. Family members that were standing outside of his home said he's getting the help he the needs and is okay.
No police officers were struck by gunfire. Authorities say they do not think the man will be charged.
