Suspect in custody after shelter-in-place shuts down Horsham, Pennsylvania, neighborhood
HORSHAM, Pa. (CBS) -- A suspect was barricaded inside a Montgomery County home for several hours Tuesday morning after assaulting a woman and threatening her with a rifle in a domestic incident, according to police.
Police say the suspect is in custody after a shelter-in-place locked down Horseshoe Lane and Horseshoe Circle, a suburban cul-de-sac in Horsham, Pennsylvania, a suburb of Philadelphia.
Horsham Township police said some neighboring homes were evacuated after the alleged assault. The victim fled the house and tried to get help from a neighbor, while the suspect went inside a home. Police were not able to make contact and then issued the shelter-in-place via reverse 911 calls.
Investigators said the suspect stayed in the house and refused to come out for hours. SWAT negotiators were able to take the suspect into custody about six hours later.
"Suspect is in custody without incident," Horsham Township posted on X at 10:45 a.m.
Earlier Tuesday, images from Chopper 3 showed a heavy law enforcement presence including SWAT teams and armored vehicles in front of a home.
School bus service to the neighborhood was limited as officers hunkered down behind an armored truck outside a home. Other members of law enforcement in camouflage were at the scene as well.
Due to police activity on Horseshoe Lane in the Horshamtowne section of Horsham a shelter in place alert has been issued for residents on Horseshoe Lane. Country Road is closed to traffic at Witmer. We will keep you updated. pic.twitter.com/xci5KI6NGT
— Horsham Township (@HorshamTownship) June 11, 2024
Neighbors were stunned at the law enforcement presence in their neighborhood.
Sam Mitchell remembers the moment the victim banged on his door for help. He said his heart goes out to her.
"I feel horrible. It's a shame, it's a shame that the girl got beat up," he said. "She come home, she had bruises on her arm, bruises on her neck. You don't have to live like that."
Mitchell and his wife said they packed up the victim's belongings, which they told CBS News Philadelphia the suspect threw into the front yard.
"Never any incidents. It's a safe neighborhood," resident Edward Lehr said. "It's a great neighborhood to raise your children. I lived along here my whole life, and it's disturbing to see this."
The Hatboro-Horsham School District notified residents about the impacts on school bus service earlier Tuesday.
It's unknown at this time if the suspect faces any charges.