Suspected gunman dead after 13-hour standoff in South Jersey
The siege in Gloucester Township began about 8 p.m. Wednesday after police responded to a report of gunfire at a home in the Brittany Woods section. It ended after police found the suspected gunman dead in the house.
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A standoff between police and a barricaded gunman in a Gloucester Township house ended after 13 hours Thursday morning when SWAT officers entered the residence and found the 24-year-old suspect dead.
Earlier, in announcing the end of the siege, Police Chief Harry Earle said only that the suspect was injured and had been taken into custody.
Township police later issued a statement saying the suspect, whose name was not released, was found dead. It did not say how he died except to note that police fired no weapons during the siege or to end it.
A handgun and an assault rifle were found in the house, the statement said. A woman who was found unharmed in the house was being questioned by investigators.
No other injuries were reported.
During the standoff, the gunman fired multiple times at police, hitting a SWAT armored vehicle.
Officials closed 14 schools while the siege dragged on, leaving parents of thousands of students scrambling with the prospect of their children having an unexpected day off.
Cellphone video showed heavily armed police entering the house. The door had been broken down before the standoff ended.
Police gave the following account:
About 8 p.m. Wednesday, police were called for a report of a man firing a gun outside a townhouse in the Brittany Woods development. Arriving officers heard gunfire and summoned backup after taking cover.
The gunman fired more than 15 rounds at a SWAT armored vehicle that took up a position in front of the townhouse with officers inside, damaging the windshield and pockmarking the armor.
Negotiators attempted to get the suspect to surrender, but he did not and they were met with more gunfire.
About 10 hours into the attempted negotiations, an armored vehicle smashed in the front door and robots were sent inside.
Around 9 a.m., SWAT officers entered the house, finding the dead suspect and the woman.
Eighteen residents were evacuated from their homes and taken to a firehouse, while other area residents were asked to shelter in place during the standoff.
Police said they did not expect to release any other information Thursday.