Man Faces Multiple Charges After Franklin SWAT Standoff

FRANKLIN, MA — Franklin police are pursuing multiple charges against a man who they say fired six shots at a regional SWAT team vehicle during a Sunday afternoon standoff.

The man, who police have not identified, will be charged with six counts of armed assault with intent to murder, assault and battery with a dangerous weapon, assault by means with a dangerous weapon, destruction of property, disorderly conduct, disturbing the peace and firing a gun within 500 feet of a building, according to Boston 25.

The incident began just before 1 p.m. on Sunday when Franklin police were called to the Spruce Pond Village Condominiums off of King Street on a report of a man threatening people with a gun.

Police surrounded a home, and were able to get the man's wife and child to safety, police said. The man later fired six shots at an armored MetroLEC SWAT vehicle, police said. Franklin Chief Thomas Lynch the man was pointing a gun at himself in a possible suicide attempt.

Police used less-lethal weapons to knock the man down. After his arrest, he was taken to a local hospital for minor injuries and for a mental health evaluation, Franklin police reported.

The neighborhood was placed on lockdown during the incident with residents told to shelter in place.