Hingham Man Who Shot At SWAT Officers During Standoff Charged

HINGHAM, MA — The Hingham man who police said fired at SWAT officers and threatened to commit "suicide by cop" on Saturday is facing felony charges that include armed assault with intent to murder, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building and discharging an explosive. A three-hour standoff at an apartment at the Hingham Shipyard ended Saturday afternoon with the arrest of Pharaoh L. Yahtues, 37, after he surrendered.

No one was injured during the incident on Fitzroy Drive that included evacuations, a Hingham fire ladder rescue of a neighbor fearing for his life and police saying the suspect shot at officers and threw an explosive device, which did not detonate, onto the patio.

Yahtues was also charged with possession of a firearm without a license second offense, possession of ammunition without an identification car, possession of a theft detection removal device and disturbing the peace.

Hingham police responded to a report of a disturbance at the apartment early Saturday morning and said they spoke with a woman and two children in the lobby who told them they had been in the apartment with the armed suspect. Police said they made contact with Yahtues and he responded with statements about "suicide by cop."

As officers evacuated nearby apartments, they responded to a neighbor who said he had locked himself in a bedroom and feared for his life. Hingham fire used a ladder truck to reach the third floor bedroom and brought him out of a window to safety.

Police said Yahtues fired several shots from his apartment at SWAT officers and threw a device, which did not detonate, onto his patio. Police said Yahtues agreed to surrender about 12:45 p.m. After a search from the Massachusetts State Police Bomb Squad for any additional explosives, residents were allowed back in their apartments.

Police said Yahtues had removed a GPS tracking device he was ordered to wear. Police said the charges filed Saturday night were preliminary and additional charges may follow.

Yahtues was held without bail and scheduled to appear in Hingham District Court on Monday.

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