Standoff in Near West End Resolved Peacefully

A standoff on the 6500 block or Stuart Avenue yesterday required closing off streets but was resolved without incident.

A peaceful end to a three hour standoff in Richmond west end. Richmond police arrested a man who barricaded himself in his west Richmond home this afternoon.

Police went to the home in the 6500 block of Stuart avenue around 3:45p.m after the man’s family called them saying they were worried about his safety. They found the man they describe as a mental patient in his home refusing to come out. Police considered him a threat to himself and others, and asked neighbors to remain in their homes.

They closed four streets around the home which is located near the university of Richmond. Police have not released the man’s name, but say he’s in his early 20′s and was having an emotional breakdown. He had recently broken up with his girlfriend and lost his job.

Police say he was a hunter and were worried that he may have access to guns. But police wouldn’t say whether the man was armed when the SWAT team went in the home.

The man would not answer the phone and the police negotiator used a bull horn to try to coax him to respond to them.

Police tell us the SWAT team negotiated with him and entered the house around 6:45 p.m. And arrested the man without incident. They say he is now being evaluated by mental health workers.

Police spokeswoman Karla Peters says police are happy that the man wasn’t hurt and is now getting the help that he needs.