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6-Hour Standoff Ends Peacefully In Warren

A Pennsylvania State Police armored vehicle sits loaded and ready for transport on Canton Street following the resolution of a barricaded gunman incident. Photo by Brian Ferry

WARREN, Pa. — After more than six hours, a standoff involving a man barricaded in a house with firearms in the city of Warren, Pa., was resolved without injury Monday evening.

Official sources confirmed that 47-year-old Warren resident Chad A. Gelotte as taken into custody after a multi-agency response to 215 Canton St.

City of Warren Police, the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT), Pennsylvania State Police, Warren County Sheriff’s Office, Conewango Township Police, Warren Fire Department and EmergyCare responded to the scene.

Multiple state police armored vehicles were also brought to the city.

Police used diversionary devices and chemical agents at the scene, City of Warren Police Capt. Joe Sproveri said. There was no gunfire.

A member of the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) (whose face has been blurred to protect his identity) carries his gear down Canton Street, Warren, following the Monday evening resolution of a barricaded gunman situation. Photo by Brian Ferry

“The suspect was taken into custody without injury,” Sproveri said.

Gelotte was reportedly taken to Warren General Hospital following the incident.

A docket was filed Monday morning showing Gelotte had been charged with aggravated assault, and unlawful restraint — serious bodily injury.

Sproveri said the incident began after police responded Monday morning to a domestic violence incident at 215 Canton St. and that an arrest warrant was issued.

In the affidavit of probable cause, City of Warren Police said the victim in the domestic violence incident reported that the dispute took place on Saturday.

A City of Warren Police vehicle blocks Canton Street at Madison Avenue Monday evening during a barricaded gunman incident. Photo by Brian Ferry

She told police that Gelotte had assaulted her, including sitting on her chest and hitting her in the face with a closed hand multiple times, according to the affidavit.

Police said the woman had visible injuries when they spoke with her on Monday.

The victim reported that Gelotte threw her down a set of outside stairs after the assault, according to the affidavit.

“After the physical assault, the victim was placed inside an interior room… upon which Gelotte physically screwed the door shut from the exterior, preventing her escape,” police said in the affidavit.

When police arrived at the residence to serve that warrant, the suspect, identified by official sources as Gelotte, barricaded himself inside and made threats against police.

Sproveri said the Pennsylvania State Police Special Emergency Response Team (SERT) was activated to deal with a “barricaded gunman” situation.

The SERT — members wearing camouflage gear, bearing large packs, and carrying rifles — executed the arrest and search warrants, Sproveri said.

During the incident, which started shortly after noon and was not resolved until after 6 p.m., several surrounding blocks were closed to traffic and neighbors were reportedly evacuated.

Further details, including additional charges related to the barricade situation, were not available at press time.

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