Parents Of Man Who Killed Himself Question Use of SWAT Team At Scene

HINGHAM, MA — The parents of a 26-year-old who killed himself with dozens of police officers and a SWAT team surrounding their house say officers did not listen when they said all their son needed was some sleep.

On July 8, Hingham police responded to a report of a distraught man inside an Edgar Walker Court home. At the scene, officers secured the area and were assisted by a Metropolitan Law Enforcement Council SWAT team, according to the Plymouth County District Attorney's office.

Russell Reeves, the father of the victim, is now speaking out. He told the Boston Globe that his son, Austin Reeves worked a party that night in Hull and was fine during the evening. Before leaving the party at about 9 p.m., he made plans to grab drinks with a friend and went home to change.

READ MORE

• Man Barricaded Inside Hingham Home Kills Himself

While on the way home, he spoke with his ex-girlfriend on the phone, became upset and mentioned a gun. The woman called police and asked them to perform a welfare check.

An officer called the home, who was told by Russell that all the guns in the house were secure. Russell tried to talk to his son about the call, who said, “Don’t back me into a corner. Because I’ll make it go away in four seconds.”

Worried, Russell called Hingham police at 10 p.m. for help. At first two officers arrived, and they were told by the younger Reeves that anyone who came upstairs would get hurt. At that point, the officers began discussions about bringing in a SWAT team.

Kate Harrison, Austin's mother, said she asked why the regional response was necessary. Russell said they turned a situation involving a person distressed about his ex-girlfriend into a life-and-death situation.

By early Sunday morning, Russell Reeves and Harrison got word that Austin shot himself. By 7:19 a.m., residents in the area received a reverse 911 call notifying them that the situation was resolved.

When asked for comment by the Globe, Hingham Police Chief Glenn Olsson declined to comment, citing an investigation by the Plymouth Country District Attorney's office to determine the cause of death.

Click here to the read the full story at the Boston Globe.

Image: File Photo