21 December, 2017
Hopkinton Police have taken a 69 year old Walcott Street man into custody after a 2 hour standoff. At 12:15 pm family members called reporting their father had gone to a small building located on the property after an argument had turned violent. They reported concern for his well being and advised dispatch that guns were present in the building. Police Officers responded immediately. Fire Department Ambulance and support vehicles were then dispatched to the area and placed on standby.
For safety reasons it was requested that several homes be evacuated and the residents willingly cooperated. Initial attempts were made for the man to surrender and they were refused.
A member of the Hopkinton Police Department who is active in the Central Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council S.W.A.T. team was participating in group training session in the region. Those resources were requested and responded to the scene.
Several attempts to negotiate by phone were repeatedly made but were unsuccessful. At that point hostage negotiators used a vehicle mounted public address system to provide one way communications to the subject. At 2:34 pm the subject surrendered and was taken into custody without injury to the man or the officers. He was then transported to the hospital for evaluation.
The man has been charged with domestic assault and battery and possession of a sawed off shotgun. He will be arraigned upon release from the hospital.
The Hopkinton Police Department is grateful for the peaceful resolution of this volatile incident. The cooperation and patience of the neighborhood residents was critical in maintaining a safe scene during this tense situation. The staff and resources of the Central Massachusetts Swat Team and the Worcester County Sheriff's Office were instrumental in today's successful outcome.
