A former marine shot himself after a police standoff at his home
The man allegedly fired a rifle at his ex-girlfriend’s house in Swansea.
A former marine fired shots at his ex-girlfriend’s house on Sunday before engaging in a standoff with police and taking his own life, police said.
Police were called to the scene after Brandon Leonardo, 24, of Swansea, allegedly fired a rifle at his ex-girlfriend’s house. The couple had recently broken up, Police Chief George Arruda told reporters at the scene.
“He was doing damage to some property there,’’ Arruda said. “Two individuals came out to confront him, to stop the disturbance. He pulled out a weapon, pointed it at both of them, threatened them, and subsequently let a round off above their heads.’’
The man then fled by vehicle to his house on Nichols Street, said Swansea Police Lt. Gregory Ryan.
Multiple law enforcement agencies responded to the situation. During the standoff, Leonardo indicated “he was going to get into a fire fight with police,’’ Arruda said.
The incident began at 4:30 p.m. and ended at about 9:15 p.m. after police heard gunshots and found the man dead from apparent self-inflicted gunshot wounds in the woods beside his home, Ryan said.
No one else was injured. Police asked residents who lived within a half-mile of the area to shelter in place during the standoff.
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