ANDOVER — An alleged financial institution robber who barricaded himself inside a car on Interstate 495 close to the Andover/Lawrence line shot himself after an hours-long standoff with police on Tuesday evening, authorities mentioned.
State Police spokesman David Procopio mentioned late Tuesday that the person suffered “an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound,” and had been transported to Lawrence General Hospital.
Procopio mentioned the person’s situation was not instantly obtainable.
Police reported in an emergency radio broadcast that they’d tried to cease an armed man as he drove on I-495. It was reported that he was wished for a number of financial institution robberies that had taken place in Lawrence. Shortly after 7 p.m., the suspect pulled the car right into a median, close to Interstate 93, and barricaded himself inside.
Procopio mentioned police patrols and tactical models responded to the scene.
“We have the highway shut down at this time,” Procopio mentioned in a press release at round 8:15 p.m. “This is a dynamic situation. As far as we know at this time the suspect is the only occupant of the vehicle.”
Peabody resident Gina Sabella mentioned she witnessed the alarming scenario proper because it unfolded. According to Sabella, she was driving on I-495 shortly after 7 p.m., when “all the sudden,” police cruisers and unmarked vehicles swarmed the freeway.
“They came out of everywhere, including the opposite side of the highway,” she mentioned. “They drove across the median and they all lined up across the highway, so all the drivers had to stop.”
Sabella watched as police exited their autos and stood behind their doorways with weapons drawn, dealing with the suspect’s car. She captured video of the incident together with her telephone.
As Sabella sat in her automotive, she realized from police on scene that there was an armed man locked inside his automotive within the median.
“There were so many police officers and so many FBI agents, that I wasn’t concerned for my safety,” Sabella mentioned. “I was just more concerned is this going to be a shootout, and if it is, there’s no place for me to go.”
Police known as in a disaster negotiator and have been compelled to shut down each the northbound and southbound sides of I-495.
Sabella mentioned police finally began to clear the freeway, having all of the stopped autos flip round and drive again towards the closest exit. She estimates sitting in her automotive for about two hours.
Procopio mentioned at round 11:20 p.m. that the freeway stays closed “but some lanes are expected to be opened soon.” He added the follow-up investigation into the taking pictures can be led by the Essex County District Attorney’s Office.
The identify of the suspect was not revealed by police.
Follow Aaron Curtis on Twitter @aselahcurtis
Source: www.bostonherald.com”