FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Tuesday, the Fort Wayne Police Department and SWAT swarmed a house on the city’s southeast side in response to a reported mental health crisis. The standoff ended with authorities finding a man dead inside the home.
Officers responded to the 3900 block of Eastway Drive, off Oxford Street, around 12:30 p.m. after someone who knew the man called police. Other first responders at the scene include the Three Rivers Ambulance Authority and the Fort Wayne Fire Department.
The Emergency Services Team and Crisis Response Team assisted with de-escalation efforts; the man inside the home was believed to be armed. Investigators were also flying a drone. Authorities lined the intersection of Oxford and Eastrowe streets until about 3 p.m.
“The days of rushing into these situations are long gone,” said Sgt. Jonathan Cutler, public information officer for the FWPD. “We try to take the safest approach possible and negotiate with people and get them to come out on their own so that we can get them the type of mental health help that they need. When we rush into a situation, that always pushes the envelope and there’s always a greater risk of violence.”…