Murder Suspect Shoots Himself In SWAT Standoff

"MCFALL, MO — A man charged with first-degree murder in the death of a person whose body was found in a burning home over the weekend apparently killed himself during a standoff with law enforcement officers in northwest Missouri.

"David Call, 50, of Kansas City, died Monday night inside a home near the Gentry County town of McFall, Trenton Police Chief Tommy Wright said. Call was charged earlier Monday with first-degree murder, armed criminal action, second-degree arson and the abandonment of a corpse after firefighters found a body inside a burning home on Sunday in Trenton.

"Call fired upon officers when they arrived to arrest him and then barricaded himself in the house, said Sgt. Jake Angle of the Missouri State Highway Patrol. Authorities tracked Call to the home in McCall, a Gentry County town of about 90 residents northwest of Pattonsburg, by following his cell phone pings because he was a person of interest in the Trenton case.

"No one was injured during the standoff.

"Negotiators lost contact with Call just after 8 p.m., Angle said.

"`At that time, a SWAT team entered the residence and found the suspect deceased from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot,` Angle said.

"No other details were released about the Trenton case, including the identification and gender of the victim."

From mysanantonio.com...

"He Seemed Like A Nice Guy"

"PLEASANT GROVE, AL — Neighbors and family are shocked by a Saturday evening murder/suicide that claimed the life of a pregnant Pleasant Grove woman and her unborn child.

"Police say that 29-year-old Antwaunete Jackson was killed after being shot in the head and the stomach around 6:30 p.m. in the 300 block of Eighth Street.

"Her husband, 32-year-old Kenyata Samuels, was later found dead in bedroom of a self-inflicted gunshot wound after a standoff with the police.

"Neighbor Sherrlyn Castor said she had only briefly interacted with Samuels when he moved into the neighborhood three or four years ago.

"`He seemed like a real nice guy,` she said.

"She said she never met Jackson.

"`This was just shocking to me when I came home last night and I saw the weapons drawn on the house,` she said. `Later, I turned on the news and found out that it was a murder/suicide. I'm so hurt.`

"Pleasant Grove Sgt. Danny Reid said Jackson called 911 and said she had been shot. Police say they had previously responded to a domestic incident at the home a year ago.

"Paramedics found her outside of the home and transported her to the hospital in serious condition. Doctors unsuccessfully tried to save the baby through an emergency Caesarian section. Jackson was pronounced dead at UAB hospital.

"Jackson's uninjured two-year-old daughter was also on the scene. She is currently in the custody the Department of Human Resources."

From al.com...

Two Found Dead After SWAT Standoff

"MOUNT ANGEL, OR — An hours-long standoff ended in tragedy in the town of Mount Angel Saturday morning, when a man took his own life, as well as the life of his ex-girlfriend’s mother.

"Daniel Cuanas was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound Saturday morning, after an armed standoff involving his ex-girlfriend, Elizabeth Schwartz, and her mother, Kathleen Schwartz.

"Elizabeth Schwartz escaped with her 15-month-old son, and notified police, who responded to the home at 775 St. Mary’s circle at 2:30 a.m. Her mother, Kathleen Schwartz, was still inside the home at that time.

"During the standoff, Cuanas, armed with firearms, threatened to take his own life, and yelled for police to shoot him.

"Several agencies, including the Woodburn Police Department’s Tactical Services Unit, the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, the Silverton Police and the Mount Angel Police were involved.

"After numerous attempts to diffuse the situation and safely get Kathleen Schwartz out, officers heard what sounded like a gunshot. Via phone, Cuanas told officers he had accidentally discharged his gun. At roughly 3:00 a.m., Cuanas posted the words `Sorry world` to his Facebook account."

From KOIN6...

Father And Son Found Dead After SWAT Standoff

"KEENESBURG, CO — A Colorado man reportedly shot and killed his 14-year-old son before fatally turning the gun on himself following a seven-hour standoff with deputies.

"The tragic ending inside a Kennesburg home early Tuesday morning was the summation of months of problems between Shawn D. Kilker, 42, and his estranged wife, Denise, Weld County Sheriff officials told [reporters].

"`He was saying things that he was going to do to her, like having her raped and all this other crap that he thought of. Anything to hurt her,` family friend, Don Enroughty, told the station.

"That threat apparently included killing their 14-year-old son whom officials say stayed dutifully by his father's side throughout the standoff with SWAT crews.

"`He was going to be a freshman and go to varsity football. He was a good kid. He had a heart of gold,` Kilker's sister-in-law [said] while biting back tears. `The marriage was over and he just couldn't accept it and he was gonna take somebody down to hurt his wife.`"

Source: New York Daily News...

Murder Suspect Commits Suicide During SWAT Standoff

"CORPUS CHRISTI, TX — Rain poured down on law enforcement officials Friday as they surrounded a ranch south of San Diego where a murder suspect engaged in a standoff.

"According to Alan Gonzalez, an investigator with the Duval County Sheriff's Office, they received a call just before 7 a.m. to be on the lookout for a man that was considered armed and dangerous.

"Officials said the suspect was wanted in connection with the shooting death of Lanny Gonzalez, 44, on Teague Lane in Calallen earlier that morning.

"Gonzalez leaves behind three children.

"Joseph Carrillo, 41, fled west, where a deputy with the Duval County Sheriff's Department spotted a vehicle matching the description of the one seen earlier that morning leaving the murder scene.

"The deputy followed the driver, who then sped up and turned onto family property after spotting the official.

"The deputy said he secured the location and called for assistance.

"Investigator Gonzalez said the man let two young children out of the house early in the morning, and they were taken to the Sheriff's Department.

"Border Patrol, the Texas Department of Public Safety troopers and Texas Rangers assisted in the incident.

"Armored vehicles and a John Deere tractor were seen rolling onto the property.

"A DPS chopper eventually located Carrillo's body in the corrals. Investigator Gonzalez said officials heard a single gunshot earlier in the morning, leading them to believe the suspect had committed suicide.

"Officials would not comment on the weapon Carrillo used to commit suicide.

"Both Carrillo and Gonzalez were from Benavides."

From alicetx.com...

SWAT Standoff Ends When Cops Find Bodies

"HIALEAH, FL — A man who barricaded himself inside a Hialeah home Sunday night killed his girlfriend and then killed himself, police and family members of the victim told [reporters].

"Hialeah police spokesman Carl Zogby said Julian Ovalle, 40, killed his girlfriend, Rossana Sabater, 31, and then took his own life during a domestic dispute at a home on 660 East 63rd Street.

"The SWAT team was called to the home about 8 p.m. Sunday and a standoff ensued, lasting about three hours. Eventually, police entered the home and found the bodies.

"Police did not release any details of the murder/suicide, but Sebastian Acosta, who claimed to be Sabater's uncle, said Ovalle stabbed his niece and then slit his own throat.

"Acosta said the couple has two children together, ages 7 and 4, and Sabater has a 15-year-old daughter from a previous relationship. Acosta said Ovalle kicked the children out of the house earlier in the day.

"Police said there was evidence that a fire had been started during the incident, and neighbors reported seeing smoke coming from the home.

"The bodies were removed from the home Monday afternoon."

From local10.com...

Two Dead In Retirement Home Shooting

"BIRMINGHAM, AL — Birmingham Police are trying to determine why a man in a wheelchair shot a woman inside McMillan Estates on 57th Street in Ensley Monday afternoon.

"Willie Bell, 75, then barricaded himself inside his apartment before taking his own life.

"The suspect and the victim both lived there. It's an independent living facility for seniors.

"Police believe the pair had been in a relationship.

"Birmingham SWAT team members surrounded McMillan estates.

"Seniors outside stood in awe. Others watched from their apartment window from inside the building.

"No one could leave as investigators were trying to make contact with a shooting suspect. He wouldn't come out of his apartment.

"Lt. Sean Edwards says, `Upon entering the apartment we did find the suspect deceased.`

"The suspect had shot himself.

"Edwards says, `There was possibly a dating relationship, but don't know exact details as to what happened prior to the incident.`

"A sign on the facility's door says no firearms are allowed in the building."

From abc3340.com...

Fireman, Shooter Dead After Five Hour Standoff

"MIDLAND, TX — A Midland firefighter was pronounced deceased at the hospital following a shooting that led to a standoff and suicide on Friday.

"Midland Police and Fire Departments responded to a shots fired call at approximately 2:33 p.m. Friday at a residence in the 2200 block of South Baird Street. Upon arrival, first responders found 35-year-old Henry `Trey` Rodriguez III outside of the residence with life-threatening gunshot wounds. He was transported to Midland Memorial Hospital, where he was pronounced deceased shortly after. A female was present at the time of the shooting but did not suffer any injuries.

"Armed suspect Nestor Castro Jr., 35, proceeded to barricade himself inside the residence. Midland Police Department's tactical unit responded to the scene along with units from the Department of Public Safety, Midland County Sheriff's Office, Midland Independent School District Police, and several other agencies. Castro remained barricaded for several hours, and police utilized various non-lethal tactics to attempt to apprehend Castro before entering the residence. Castro was found deceased with self-inflicted gunshot wounds before 8 p.m.

"MPD worked to process the scene late into Friday evening and is conducting a full investigation into the incident.

"Rodriguez was a firefighter with the Midland Fire Department, where he worked for more than 10 years. MFD officials have asked that the public respect the family and department's privacy as they mourn the loss of their fellow firefighter."

From cbs7kosa.com...

One Dead, One Critical After SWAT Standoff

"DAYTON, OH — A woman is in critical condition after she was shot in the head by her husband in what Dayton police described as an attempted murder/suicide on Saturday.

"Police responded at approximately 10 a.m. to check on the welfare of a woman at the home in the 700 block of Hodapp Avenue.

"The officers called in reinforcements after hearing three distinct gunshots from inside the home, according to Assistant Police Chief Robert Chabali.

"Nearby roads and intersections were blocked and neighbors told to stay indoors as armed officers surrounded the home.

"After more than two hours with no contact, SWAT officers went inside and found a woman who had been shot at least once. The officers also discovered the body of a man who had apparently shot himself, Chabali said.

"The man was identified as 45-year-old Dustin Leonard, according to the Montgomery County Coroner's Office, and the victim is 38-year-old Jasmine Leonard.

"Chabali said they were married, but a temporary protection order was in place against Dustin Leonard.

"`We're hopeful the SWAT team was able to rescue her and save her life,` Chabali said.

"Jasmine Leonard was listed in critical condition Sunday night at Miami Valley Hospital, according to officials.

"The incident appears to be an attempted murder and suicide with Dustin Leonard the aggressor, shooting his wife and then turning the gun on himself, according to police. A semi-automatic handgun was found in the home."

Read more at the Dayton Daily News...

Shooter Dead, Victim Wounded After 6 Hour Standoff

"SCALP LEVEL, PA — Investigators have identified the victim and shooter in what police said is an attempted murder/suicide in a Cambria County community.

"Windber police said Deanna Hoffman was shot by Jack Prescott at a home on 316 Main Street in Scalp Level Thursday afternoon.

"Police said Prescott shot Hoffman inside the house before taking his own life. Police said the incident started at about 2:30 p.m. when an officer went to serve warrants on Prescott for misdemeanor charges from Cambria and Somerset counties. He refused to come out of the home, prompting the initial police response.

"The charges against Prescott were not immediately known.

"The situation closed streets in the community for at least six hours while police and a tactical team worked to secure the home.

"Hoffman is recovering at Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center from her injuries, police said. Family members said Thursday night she was able to talk and was doing okay."

From wjactv.com...

Killer Shoots Himself During Police Standoff

"CARY, NC — Cary police said Saturday that a man wanted in the Friday slaying of 74-year-old Aleksander "Lenny" Wysocki has committed suicide in Florida.

"Investigators issued arrest warrants for Eric Paul Engel, 43, of Durham, N.H., late Friday. Authorities tracked him to Florida, where he shot himself in a motel during a standoff with police, according to Cary police.

"Authorities say Engel was a former family friend of Wysocki.

"`At this point, we feel confident that there is an end to the Wysocki tragedy,` Criminal Investigations Division Capt. Don Hamilton said Saturday in a statement. `As we said earlier, we did not believe this was a random act, and based on evidence we cannot disclose at this point, we are confident Engel is the man who shot Wysocki.`

"A LinkedIn page shows Engel was a lecturer at the University of New Hampshire. The university's website said he received his PhD last year.

"Authorities responded to 215 Trent Woods Way at about 8:45 a.m. Friday morning. They found Wysocki in the yard of the home, and he was pronounced dead at Duke University medical Center.

"In a 911 call released Saturday, a caller told dispatchers that Wysocki had been shot in the head."

From wral.com...

Armed Teenager Shoots Himself During SWAT Standoff

"HIGHLANDS RANCH, CO — Deputies are now investigating the deaths of a woman and a teen-age boy as a murder/suicide following a standoff at a Highlands Ranch home Friday night.

"`We're investigating it as a murder/suicide,` Dep. Chad Teller, spokesman for the Douglas County Sheriff's Department. `We believe this is an isolated incident and that it was family related.`

"One woman was killed and a second woman was injured Friday night at a home in Highlands Ranch. The male teen-ager was also found dead, Teller said.

"The dead woman's boyfriend told [reporters] that she was the teenager's mother and that an argument over his medication preceeded the shooting.

"The boyfriend said the injured woman was the dead woman's oldest daughter. She injured her back jumping out of a window to escape.

"Investigators have not released the identities of the two dead people.

"Douglas County Sheriff's deputies and SWAT were called to Old Stone Drive and Fox Hunt Circle before 8 p.m. after a report of a shooting, according to Ron Hanavan, Douglas County sheriff's spokesman.

"A barricade situation followed until about midnight and a juvenile male was reported to be holed up in the house. The suspect did not fire a weapon at SWAT team members and the officers did not fire upon the house, Teller said.

"Deputies tried in various ways to communicate with the armed party, but received no response. It's not known when the teenager was shot or how it happened."

Read more at the Denver Post...

Robot Finds Body Of Killer After SWAT Standoff

"BALTIMORE, MD — Baltimore City Police say Robert Hopkins, murder suspect, shot himself after holing up in a North Baltimore house overnight.

"Police say during an attempted carjacking, Hopkins shot and killed a man on Maryland Ave near 22nd St. just before 3am. He then pointed the gun at a woman, Denise Jones, and ran into a nearby home.

"Police surrounded the home for 8 hours, and told neighbors to stay inside. At 10:30am, police sent a robot inside. They found the suspect dead from a self inflicted gun shot wound.

"Hopkins has been wanted for a recent attempted murder and several other carjackings. The victim has not been identified."

From WBFF-TV...

Suspected Killer Botches Suicide During SWAT Standoff

"PEORIA, IL — The abduction of a woman by her estranged husband early Monday reached a protracted conclusion Tuesday with the discovery of her body and an ensuing standoff with her alleged killer.

"Phouvone Sophanavong, 45, held police at bay with a gun for more than nine hours in his home at 703 NE Monroe St. that his family apparently has owned for decades. The same residence had been searched Monday night by authorities trying to sort out the disappearance of his wife, Laongdao Phangthong.

"About 9:25 p.m. Tuesday, a police operation that appeared long-stagnant to outside observers burst with a flurry of activity after Sophanavong shot himself in the chest during the course of negotiations with police.

"`He made a decision to potentially end his own life,` Peoria police Chief Steve Settingsgaard said minutes after Sophanavong was rushed from the scene by ambulance.

"The 28-year-old Laotian woman’s body was found about 11:30 a.m. Tuesday in the north parking deck at OSF Saint Francis Medical Center. Someone arriving at the hospital recognized her vehicle as one police had been seeking, and hospital security found her body inside.

"Peoria County Coroner Johnna Ingersoll said Phangthong’s apparent cause of death was at least one gunshot wound. An autopsy is scheduled for Wednesday."

From pjstar.com....

Man Hangs Himself After Beating & Stabbing Girlfriend

"DAYTON, OH — A nine hour police standoff ends with a mother of two suffering a violent and brutal death, and her boyfriend who held her hostage - dead.

"Police say Jordan Rudd, 24, violently killed Heather Bell, 38, before he hung himself in his home at 807 Nordale in Dayton.

"Investigators say Bell died from head trauma. She was also stabbed several times in the upper torso.
Last night her uncle called 911 when he hadn't heard from her about her kids. He was watching her 2 boys.

"`She's not around and she always calls about her kids. And I'm scared,` he said to the dispatcher.

"Police went to her boyfriend s house to check on her but Rudd wouldn't open the door.

"`Mr. Rudd stated he was keeping her hostage and would kill her. .. officers saw a gun and requested back up,` said Chief of Police Richard Biehl.

"Swat officers surrounded the home for hours and tried to talk to Rudd, but the talks ended in tragedy. Police looked inside and found two bodies. Police believe Rudd killed Bell even before officers came to check on her.

"`It's sad. Its sad. Why wouldn't he just let her go. Its not right. It's horrible, absolutely horrible,` said neighbor, Brian Wendling.

"Rudd did have a criminal past. He was arrested for felonious assault in Clark County."

From WRGT...

Killer's Suicide Ends Hours-Long Standoff

"WASHINGTON, PA — Police said a man killed his wife and shot her boyfriend inside of a Washington County home early Friday morning before prompting an hours-long standoff that ended when he killed himself.

"The incident began around 1 a.m. on Arrowhead Drive in South Strabane Township, authorities said.

"Police say an estranged husband, later identified as 56-year-old Harold McCutcheon, went to 52-year-old-old Terry McCutcheon’s home and killed her and shot her boyfriend.

"Investigators said the boyfriend escaped to a neighbor's house and a standoff began.

"Authorities said shots were fired from inside the home while officers were on the scene. Police fired rounds of tear gas into the house, witnesses said.

"Harold McCutcheon eventually took his own life, ending the standoff.

"Investigators said no law enforcement personal were hurt during the ordeal.

"People who live near the home were evacuated while police worked to resolve the situation. Officials said they have all been permitted back into their homes."

From WPXI...

Standoff Ends With Shooter's Suicide

"KATY, TX — A man shot his estranged wife to death at a Katy high school on Friday morning, then killed himself at a home in Brookshire after a standoff with police, officials said.

"Relatives identified the dead woman as Valerie Robinson, 42, and her estranged husband as 54-year-old Gregory Robinson.

"The couple's marriage had been troubled, said Clarissa Coleman, Valerie Robinson's sister. She said the couple had been married about 27 years.

"Valerie Robinson arrived for work about 6:10 a.m. at Tompkins High School, 4400 Falcon Landing, when her estranged husband approached in the parking lot and shot her, officials said. He then was seen driving away in a pickup.

"Valerie Robinson worked in the school cafe­teria, according to Steve Stanford, spokesman for the Katy Independent School District.

"Two coaches performed CPR on the woman, who was later pronounced dead at Katy Memorial Hermann Hospital."

Read more at chron.com...

Body Of Shooter Found After Standoff

"FRESNO, CA — Hours after Fresno police found the bodies of a man and woman outside a southeast Fresno apartment complex and in a cul-de-sac, officers found the body of their suspected slayer.

"All three were fatally shot, police said.

"The suspected shooter in Friday evening's double-murder was identified Saturday by the Fresno County Coroner's Office as Anthony Jackson, 50, of Fresno. The Coroner's Office identified the shooting victims as Gerome Dixon, 22, of Fresno and 38-year-old Cynthia Walkins, 38, whose residence was unknown.

"Dixon and Walkins were found 400 feet apart in separate locations just after 7 p.m. Friday, police said. They died within 10 minutes of each other, according to the Coroner's Office.

"Lt. Mark Salazar said Jackson had fathered a 2-year-old child with Walkins. Salazar said the homicides were related and no other suspects were involved in the shootings. Detectives were still investigating a motive on Saturday, Salazar said.

"Just after 7 p.m. Friday, police received a call of shots fired and found Dixon's body in front of an apartment complex at the corner of Montecito and Pierce avenues, Lt. Phil Cooley said. Dixon lived next door to Jackson at the apartment complex, Salazar said.

"A few minutes later, police got a report of a second shooting victim and found Walkins' body in a cul-de-sac at the end of Alta Avenue. Salazar said Walkins lived one street over from the apartment complex where Jackson and Dixon lived.

"Cooley said police believed the shooting suspect was still inside the apartment complex Friday evening. Officers could be heard on a loudspeaker, urging someone to surrender.

"Officers tried to get Jackson to come out of the apartment, but he never did. When they entered at 2 a.m., they found he had shot himself, Salazar said."

Source: Fresno Bee...

SWAT Standoff Ends After Two Gunshots Heard

"MARGATE, FL — An hours-long standoff involving dozens of police officers and a man holed up in a Margate apartment ended after two gunshots sounded from inside the home.

"When police burst inside, they found the man and an elderly woman shot dead. Neither was identified by authorities.

"Margate police said the man, who was about 60, called 911 at about 6:35 p.m., telling the emergency dispatcher there would be a murder/suicide before hanging up, said Margate police spokesman Efrain Suarez.

"But he’d phoned from a land line, and police tracked him to an apartment complex at 1700 NW 80th Avenue.

"Officers tried to contact the man, said Suarez, but couldn’t.

"He briefly stepped out of the home, but then went back in and didn’t reply when police tried calling him on a public address system.

"They called out a special response team and a crisis negotiation team."

Source: Miami Herald...

Killer Shoots Himself During Standoff With Police

"OSTRANDER, OH — A man, who police say killed his estranged wife, took his own life after a standoff with deputies.

"Jerry Flagg Sr., 58, was found shortly before 10:00 p.m. with what police say appeared to be dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

"Earlier in the afternoon, the man's estranged wife Diana Flagg, was found in a ditch, shot multiple times in the neck and chest, near Brown and Smart-Cole Roads in Millcreek Township, according to police.

"Flagg, 51 was pronounced dead on the scene.

"Witnesses said the man was seen by the woman's body before authorities arrived, and then went inside a nearby home.

"Police evacuated half-a-dozen homes in the area and an additional dozen people were not allowed back in their residences until the situation ended."

From WTTE...