SWAT Standoff With Armed Man Ends Peacefully
Around 10am Thursday Merrillville Police were dispatched to an armed man on his porch holding what appeared to be an AR-15 and knife near W 65th Lane & Harrison Ct. in The Devonshire Woods subdivision. Police were told on arrival he was contemplating “suicide by cop.”
Merrillville Police set up a perimeter and began negotiating with the man to put the weapons down. Merrillville Police Chief Luther Cuttino headed the negotiating process with his past training in these situations, Deputy Chief Kosta Nuses told RNS. At one point the man pointed the gun at officers, which in turn police held great restraint against using any force. NWR SWAT was called into assist with the situation as well, filling the block up with numerous local department squad cars. Police later learned the gun being held by the suspect was actually a pellet or paintball gun.
Neighbors and family patiently watched from a distance praying for a peaceful outcome. About an hour into negotiating the suspect surrendered to officers and was transported to a local hospital for evaluation. There were no reported injuries. At this time no charges were filed.
