ITHACA, N.Y. (Updated 8:42 a.m.) — A man is in custody after police say he barricaded himself in a home on Second Street in Ithaca for nearly six hours.
The Ithaca Police Department responded to a report of people arguing at about 1:40 a.m. Monday, a news release said. When police arrived, an officer saw a man exit one of the windows of a residence on the 100 block of Second Street and go onto the roof. But as more officers arrived, the man went back inside and barricaded himself in, police said. Police discovered the man had an order of protection against him protecting the resident at the location.
Police said they were able to clear the residence and leave only the man inside. The man reportedly made references to “suicide by cop.”
The SWAT and Critical Incident Negotiation teams also responded to the residence Monday. Initial contact was unsuccessful, police said, but after several hours on the scene, the subject was taken into custody without incident.
Sgt. Barry Banfield of the Ithaca Police Department said the man came outside and surrendered.
Police identified the man as George A. Wilson, 43, of Elmira. Police say felony charges are pending against Wilson.
The Ithaca Police Department was assisted by he Tompkins County Sheriff’s Office, Bangs Ambulance, Ithaca Fire Department, City of Ithaca DPW, New York State Police, and Tompkins County Mental Health.
A Tompkins County dispatcher said police were breaking down the scene around 7:45 a.m. Monday.
At 8:44 a.m., the City of Ithaca sent out a second notification via Swift 911 saying the police operation is over and the area is open to regular business and traffic.
Earlier (7:50 a.m.) —
ITHACA, N.Y. — A man is in custody after police say he barricaded himself in a home on Second Street in Ithaca for nearly six hours.
A Tompkins County dispatcher said Ithaca police officers responded to the scene around 1:45 a.m. Monday. Police were breaking down the operation and the man was in custody at 7:45 a.m., the dispatcher said.
At 5:53 a.m., the City of Ithaca sent out an alert via Swift911 saying, “There is an Ithaca Police Department operation underway on Second Street and portions of the street have been closed. Please avoid the area. More information will be released by the Ithaca Police Department at a later time.”
The Ithaca Police Department has not released further information yet, but a source familiar with the incident said a man was involved in a barricade incident and is in custody. Police were initially responding to a report of a domestic dispute, the source said.
This is a developing story. Check back for an update.
Managing Editor Jolene Almendarez contributed to this report.