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Suspect Dead After SWAT Standoff In Middleboro

MIDDLEBORO (CBS) – A man who opened fire on police and barricaded himself inside a Middleboro home was found dead after a seven hour standoff Wednesday. Police say 38-year-old John Mann of Middleboro died from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Middleboro Police and deputies from the Plymouth County Sheriff's Department were serving a warrant around 9:30 a.m. on Wareham Street. As officers approached the home, Mann fired shots with a long gun, according to police.

The Middleboro Police Chief says the incident was "eerily similar" to what Cape Cod police faced the day Yarmouth K9 Officer Sean Gannon was killed.

"Upon their arrival, an officer in the rear of the home was fired upon by the suspect," Chief Joseph Perkins said. The officer who was shot at was also a K9 officer.

Standoff
A standoff at a Middleboro home. (WBZ-TV)

No officers were hit. Police took cover and set up a perimeter around the house.

"I would say that our approach after the incident escalated, it was slow and methodical," Chief Perkins said.

SWAT teams were called to the scene. Several hours after the initial incident, Mann remained inside the home.

A piece of heavy duty equipment was used to smash in windows and a garage door at the home. Heavily armed officers later entered the home at about 4:30 pm.

"It's an evolution in law enforcement. We're trying to find the best way to do a difficult job," Chief Perkins said. "Looking at what happened in Yarmouth and different places across the country; it may take longer for us to come to a conclusion."

A rifle and two handguns were recovered and seized as evidence.

swat breach
A piece of SWAT equipment makes entry to a Middleboro home. (WBZ-TV)

Wareham Street, which is also known as Route 28, was closed in both directions between Interstate 495 and Spruce Street.

Residents from Smith Street to Spruce Street were asked to shelter in place during the standoff.

The home was still being searched Wednesday night and the incident is under investigation.

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