SWAT team uses tear gas to end several-hour standoff in Westmoreland County

WESTMORELAND COUNTY, Pa. — Police shut down a portion of Route 982 early Wednesday morning while they responded to a standoff in Westmoreland County.

Channel 11's Brittny McGraw reported that the standoff began around 11 p.m. Tuesday at a home on Mennonite Camp Road in Laurelville.

Investigators said a family member called 911 and said a man who lived at the house threatened to hurt himself, and that he had guns.

When authorities and SWAT team members got to the house, the man refused to come out for several hours. The man eventually surrendered after police used tear gas to get him out.

Route 982 from Old Route 982 to Mount Joy Road remained blocked off until about 9 a.m.

Neighbors who live near the home told Channel 11 News that police officers came to their homes and told them to stay inside.

“We heard a bullhorn last night when they were trying to coax the gentleman out of the house,” neighbor Mary Beth Stouffer said. “The police came and informed us to turn off the lights because they were monitoring a situation.”

Don Sherbondy, who lives behind the house that police surrounded, said he knew something was going on when several police cars and SWAT team members swarmed to the house.

“We just stayed inside and kind of kept our eyes open. We watched the event take place,” Sherbondy said.

Officials said the man, whose name has not been released, was taken to a hospital to be checked out. There is no word if he will face any charges.

WPXI