DA: Man died from self-inflicted gunshot wound following standoff with police

LANCASTER COUNTY — UPDATE: The Lancaster County District Attorney's Office says a standoff incident in Manheim Township ended early Wednesday morning with the death of a man who barricaded himself inside an apartment with a woman.

Authorities say the the man, who is not being identified at this point, died of an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound to the head.

Manheim Township Police say officers were dispatched to the Knollwood Drive apartment around 8 p.m. on Tuesday night after receiving a 911 call from a relative of the woman inside the home indicating that she was in danger. Police later determined that the man was abusing the woman and was in possession of a knife and handgun.

Police say officers arrived at the apartment, knocked on the door, and announced their arrival. The front door was locked, and police say they received on immediate response.

Moments later, police say the woman yelled out of a second-floor window, asking for help just before the man fired a shot from the second-floor bedroom. Police say no one was injured by the shot.

Lancaster County SERT was then deployed to the scene, where they set up a perimeter upon their arrival and attempted to communicate with the man.

Police say initial investigations revealed that the man and woman were in the bedroom for the duration of the standoff.

Around 1 a.m., police say SERT deployed a flash bang device inside the apartment and made entry.

As SERT officers kicked open the bedroom door, police say two shots were fired: one being the self-inflicted gunshot fired by the man, the other fired by a SERT officer.

Authorities say the man was found deceased inside the bedroom and that the woman, found in a closet, was not struck by gunfire. Police were also not struck by gunfire.

The Lancaster County Coroner’s Office was on scene and has custody of the deceased male’s body.

Pennsylvania State Police is handling the investigation.

Lancaster County District Attorney Heather Adams will review all investigative materials and make a determination on use of force.

The investigation is ongoing and a determination on the police use of force will be publicly announced at a later date.

“The decisive actions of the multiple responding agencies assured safety to the public and resulted in the safe recovery of the woman,” District Attorney Adams said Wednesday. “The investigation remains active and we will keep the public informed of developments.”

According to police, a member of Lancaster County SERT also fired a shot at the man inside the home. Preliminary investigation shows that the round grazed the man's rib area.

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A heavy police presence is occupying an area of a Lancaster County neighborhood early Wednesday morning.

Pennsylvania State Police are not providing any information at this time, but say that they have been outside of the Sunnybrook Townhomes in Manheim Township for hours.

Police tell CBS 21 that we can expect to get more information from officials later this morning.

This is a developing story. Stay with CBS 21 for updates.