Jefferson Township, Lackawanna County — Two people are in custody after a gunfight on Cortez Road Sunday night, prompting a response from the SWAT team and a search for the male suspect.
According to police, a middle-aged husband and wife are in custody after a confirmed firefight broke out between the two in Jefferson Township.
The Situation Escalates
Jefferson Township Police Chief Richard Bacon reported that concerns arose about the male suspect being barricaded inside the house. Authorities were especially cautious due to his suicidal history.
“There was also the worry of the male being barricaded in the house, and he had a history of being suicidal, even going as far as saying he wished to get into a firefight with the Jefferson Twp. Police and win,” said Chief Bacon.
The wife reportedly waved down an officer for help at around 9:45 p.m. on Sunday.
SWAT and SERT Respond
In response, SWAT personnel and a SERT team were dispatched to the scene. After investigating, they found shell casings and bullet holes inside the house, confirming a firefight had occurred.
The firearms recovered at the scene included:
- An AR-15 rifle
- A pistol
- An empty pistol magazine found in the nearby woods after the wife fled the house
Husband Flees, Perimeter Set
Police quickly set up a perimeter and command post at around 10:20 p.m.. However, Chief Bacon reported that the male suspect had already fled the scene in a pickup truck before the perimeter was established.
Chief Bacon also noted that the suspect had trained attack dogs and security cameras surrounding the property, leading police to approach the situation cautiously.
Arrests Made After Hours of Search
The wife was arrested between 12:30 a.m. and 2:00 a.m. Monday morning. The male suspect was apprehended later on Monday afternoon after returning to the house.
Police have not yet identified either suspect, and charges are still unknown.
