SWAT standoff: Painesville Township suspect fires several shots at man, hides in trailer, sheriff says

PAINESVILLE TOWNSHIP, Ohio (WOIO) - A Painesville Township man is in jail for prompting a SWAT standoff after firing several shots at someone following a dispute, the Lake County Sheriff’s Office confirmed.

Sheriff Frank Leonbruno said deputies responded to a call of shots fired by a man in the area of Oakwood Boulevard and Shady Lane early the morning of Oct. 12.

Leonbruno said the caller reported that the man shot at him several times after a dispute before going back inside his trailer.

Deputies arrived and repeatedly tried to contact the suspect, but he refused to communicate, said Leonbruno.

Leonbruno stated deputies interviewed witnesses at the scene and confirmed that the man “did in fact fire a number of shots from a handgun at a person directly outside of the trailer.”

The information gathered at that point led the sheriff’s office to evacuate a number of nearby residents, and activate the Lake County SWAT team to respond to his armed encounter at 3:15 a.m., according to Leonbruno.

When the members of the unit got in position, Leonbruno said negotiators made multiple attempts to make contact with the suspect.

After the suspect failed to give any response, SWAT units used an armored vehicle to approach the trailer and brake the window to make visual contact with him, Leonbruno stated.

The suspect then spoke with negotiators and surrendered peacefully soon after, according to Leonbruno.

Leonbruno said 58-year-old suspect was taken to the Lake County Jail facility.

19 News is withholding his name under charges have been filed.

While no one reported getting struck by gunfire, Leonbruno confirmed, the sheriff’s office encourages residents in the area of Oakwood Boulevard and Shady Lane to report any damage the gunfire may have caused.

The incident remains under investigation.

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