Standoff Ends in Middleboro After Suspect Takes His Own Life
MIDDLEBOROUGH — Chief Joseph Perkins and Plymouth County District Attorney Tim Cruz report that a Middleborough man, who fired upon officers who were executing an arrest warrant, was found dead inside of his home after a seven-hour standoff with police Wednesday afternoon.
Residents and business owners should be advised that the area is now safe and most officers are clearing the scene.
John Mann, age 38, was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound after police breached the Wareham Street home.
A rifle and two handguns were recovered from inside the home and seized as evidence.
At approximately 9:30 a.m. Wednesday, Middleboro Police officers we’re assisting the Plymouth County Sheriff’s Department Warrant Unit with the execution of an arrest warrant at a home at 469 Wareham St.
While at the house a K9 officer went to the rear of the home and was allegedly fired upon by Mann. Mann allegedly fired one round and the officers all retreated to safety. No officers were injured.
Mann then barricaded himself inside the house.
Several more officers responded to the scene, including the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) SWAT Unit, and a perimeter was established.
A reverse 911 call was sent out to residents to notify them to shelter in place and avoid the area.
Several attempts were made to contact the suspect but were unsuccessful in doing so.
Eventually the house was breached by officers and they located Mann’s body on the first floor in the rear of the home. He was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene.
As of 6 p.m. Wednesday, the home was being searched and the incident is still under investigation.
--Middleborough Police