FISHKILL – Town police received several calls Thursday morning from residents on Cherrywood Drive who reported seeing an armed man in the front yard of a house who was threatening to “kill everyone.” Fishkill Police Lieutenant Paul Schettino said several Town of Fishkill police units responded to the emergency at approximately 10:10 a.m.
When the officers arrived, the knife-wielding man ran into the residence, locked the door, and refused to come out of the residence, according to Schettino. A perimeter was established for the safety of the public, and the officers continued to engage the barricaded subjectsz in an effort to have him surrender. “The subject was very agitated and was unwilling to comply with the multiple requests for him to surrender,” Schettino said.
Schettino told Mid-Hudson News that the situation could have escalated quickly if not for the police on the scene. “Our planning and training for these types of situations was put into operation as we worked to end the standoff with no injuries to the officers, the subject, or the public.” In addition to a very large knife, the agitated man also had a large pit bull terrier service dog with him which needed to be secured to prevent any injuries.
After a period of time, the man became quiet inside the residence. Police surveillance indicated that the man appeared to be falling asleep. Officers made entry, secured the canine, and took the man into custody. He was transported by Beacon Volunteer Ambulance to MidHudson Regional Hospital in Poughkeepsie for a mental health evaluation. A Fishkill police officer rode on the ambulance for safety purposes.
“The positive outcome here is evidence that a coordinated effort between police, the Dutchess County Mobile Health Crisis Unit, and EMS personnel worked as intended,” Schettino said.
No criminal charges are pending at this time and the scene was cleared at approximately 12 noon.
