Man Armed With Shotgun Shoots Himself After Standoff: Police

PUTNAM VALLEY, NY — A man took his own life Wednesday morning after a standoff with authorities, police said.

Just before 10:30 a.m. Thursday, ambulances were dispatched to a home on Pudding Street in the Town of Putnam Valley in response to a call about a man with chest pain. The medics were confronted by a man with a shotgun when they arrived, Sheriff Robert Langley, Jr. said.

The EMTs retreated to safety and notified Putnam 911 about the armed man at the scene. Members of the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office responded to the scene and located the armed man at his home.

Police set up a perimeter and kept the armed man in sight. A member of the Sheriff’s Office later saw the man point the shotgun in their direction and fire a round into the air.

With help from the Putnam County Emergency Response Team (ERT), the New York State Police, Town of Kent Police and the Town of Carmel Police, the armed man was kept confined to the area of the home and yard.

The man eventually entered the front doorway of his home and took his own life, according to authorities.

In addition to the police agencies involved, the Sheriff's Office thanked Putnam 911, PCSO Dispatch, Town of Kent Fire/Ambulance and the Bureau of Emergency Services for their roles in helping to contain the situation.

According to the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, if you or someone you know exhibits warning signs of suicide:

• Do not leave the person alone.
• Remove any firearms, alcohol, drugs or sharp objects that could be used in a suicide attempt.
• Call the U.S. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-TALK (8255).
• Take the person to an emergency room or seek help from a medical or mental health professional.