Merrillville, IN – A tense standoff at a Merrillville residence ended safely Thursday after SWAT negotiators persuaded an armed man to surrender, according to a statement shared by Northwest Regional SWAT. The incident began on November 13 when Merrillville Police responded to a home on W. 72nd Avenue for a reported domestic disturbance.
According to investigators, officers were speaking with a female victim outside the home when they suddenly heard shouting from a bedroom and the distinct sound of a round being chambered in a firearm. Officers immediately retreated and brought the woman to safety. However, a 3-year-old child remained inside the residence and could not be evacuated.
Due to the heightened risk, Merrillville Police requested assistance from NWR SWAT. Negotiators made phone contact with the man inside shortly after arriving on scene. Authorities report that negotiations continued for roughly four hours as officers worked to de-escalate the situation and ensure the child’s safety.
Just after the extended negotiation period, the male suspect exited the home peacefully and was taken into custody without incident. The child was immediately reunited with the mother, and no injuries were reported.
NWR SWAT credited the safe outcome to the coordinated response by Merrillville officers and the skill of the negotiation team. “The actions taken by MPD officers, and the patience of our negotiations team, deescalated a potentially lethal situation,” the agency stated.
