Armed Suicidal Man's Standoff With Police Ends Peacefully

An armed suicidal Hopatcong man prompted a heavy police presence and neighborhood lockdown Tuesday afternoon.

According to Lt. Thomas Kmetz, a caller notified police of a suicidal man who walked into a wooded area armed with a .45-caliber pistol, a box of ammo and a magazine for the gun in the area of Leland and Oklahoma Trail at about 1:15 p.m. Tuesday.

All officers on duty responded to the scene, area roads were shut down and residents were ordered to remain indoors, Kmetz said Wednesday.

As officers searched the woods, the man was seen heading back into a garage, Kmetz said. Officers eventually talked the man out and recovered the gun, ammunition and magazine inside the garage, Kmetz said. The police also recovered a shotgun from the home, Kmetz said. Both weapons were legally owned, he said.

The man, whose identity was not released, was transported to police headquarters for questioning and then brought to Newton Mental Health.

No charges were immediately filed.

Kmetz advises residents to remain indoors if there is a heavy police presence in the neighborhood. He said many people had to be ordered to get inside during Tuesday's incident.

"When you see officers carrying shotguns and rifles, it is safe to assume there is a major risk in your neighborhood and you need to keep indoors until we leave," Kmetz said.