Man Battling Mental Issues Prompts SWAT Response

A tense stand-off on Phyllis Lane Wednesday afternoon ended safely after police negotiated the surrender of a man who had been dealing with mental health problems and claimed he had a handgun.

Nearly every Milton police officer, a Metro LEC SWAT team and a State Police robot responded to the scene, shut-down the area and negotiated with the man, who had secreted himself in the basement of his home, according to a statement on the Milton Police Department Facebook page.

SWAT was called shortly around 3:30 p.m., after Milton police received a 911 call and learned from a family member that the man was distraught and making that family member fearful. She was vacated from the home and the man threatened to shoot officers.

"The officers forced him to retreat into a side room and they then locked down the house ordering him to come out," MPD said. "Investigation of the matter revealed that it may be possible that he gained access to a handgun."

The man responded only negatively to numerous attempts by bullhorn and phone for more than an hour and then SWAT was called in and the area was closed off. 

"For over two hours, nearly twenty officers using cameras, and a State Police robot, focused on this home, locating the man secreted in the basement," MPD said. "After short dialogue with the SWAT officers, he surrendered."

In its statement, the department went on to thank residents and officers for their patience and resolve.

"This is a difficult situation for any family and one which does not happen often in Milton. The officers involved in this incident today exercised a great deal of caution and patience ensuring no one was hurt.”