UPDATE: Standoff Suspect Threatened To Shoot Anyone Who Approached Door, Cops Say


UPDATE: 5:43 p.m., Tuesday: 

Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com

Falls Township police said the man who was holed up Tuesday at a hotel threatened to shoot anyone who approached.

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The man – identified by police as a 23-year-old Levittown resident – told his therapist that he was in a third-floor room at the Red Roof Inn armed with a .22 caliber rifle and prepared to fire. He was also reported to be threatening to kill himself, police said. 

The man’s therapist alerted 9-1-1 to alert them of the threats. Officers responded at 11:40 a.m. and sealed off the area, calling for the activation of the Bucks County South Emergency Response Team, police said.

Police Lt. Nelson Whitney said crisis negotiators and the therapist worked with the man for about three hours before he peacefully surrendered around 2:30 p.m. 

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A .22 rifle was found in the hotel room, Whitney said.

The incident remained under investigation and no charges were filed as of early evening. LevittownNow.com decided not name the suspect as it was not clear whether he would be charged.

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During the standoff, Oxford Valley Road was closed between Route 1 and Commerce Boulevard. It reopened shortly after the man was taken into custody.

Falls Township officials thanked the Bensalem Township, Bristol Township, Bristol Borough, Morrisville Borough, Lower Makefield, and Middletown Township police departments along with the Levittown-Fairless Hills Rescue Squad, the Falls Township Fire Marshal’s office and fire police from Fairless Hills Fire Company and Falls Township Fire Company.

If you or someone you know is experiencing a mental health crisis, 1-800-499-7455 is a local hotline that is manned around the clock.

Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
The hotel a few minutes after the standoff ended.
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
Credit: Tom Sofield/LevittownNow.com
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UPDATE: 3:21 p.m., Tuesday: 

A midday standoff in Falls Township ended with the man being taken into custody.

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The standoff started around noon at the Red Roof Inn on Cabot Boulevard off Oxford Valley Road.

Falls Township police responded and requested the Bucks County South Emergency Response Team, which is made up of several Lower Bucks County police agencies, to assist. The suspect was held up on the third-floor of the hotel, source said.

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Fire police closed Oxford Valley Road between Commerce Boulevard and Route 1 during the standoff.

Around 2:30 p.m., the man was taken into custody by tactical team officers and busy Oxford Valley Road reopened, sources said.

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No serious injuries were reported.

Police were not immediately available to release more information.

The Falls Township incident happened at the same time Upper Bucks County tactical officers were engaged in a standoff where the home caught on fire in Hilltown Township.

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Original Story: 

Tactical officers from multiple departments converged on a Falls Township hotel Tuesday afternoon.

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The response was due to a subject who was engaged in a standoff with police at the Red Roof Inn on Cabot Boulevard. Further details were not immediately available.

Due to the standoff, authorities closed Oxford Valley Road between Route 1 and Commerce Boulevard around 12:45 p.m.

Bystanders said unmarked police vehicles used by tactical officers were arriving to the scene as the road was being closed.

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