GUILFORD, Conn. — A man was found dead in a Guilford home after barricading himself and a family member inside for nearly 18 hours, police said Thursday.
The incident began around 12:30 p.m. Wednesday when the Guilford Fire Department was called to a home on Durham Road on the report of a fire.
According to officials, when initial fire crews arrived, they were confronted by 51-year-old Keith Neal brandishing two guns. Smoke was seen coming from the residence, but officials said fire crews were forced to back off after being confronted by the man.
Police were notified as Neal then took off in a vehicle. A short time later, Guilford police received a call, reporting that Neal was barricaded inside a home on Fitch Hill Road with a family member.
Officers responded immediately and attempted a dialogue with Neal. The family member inside called officers, confirming they were being held by Neal and that he was armed.
The South Central SWAT team was notified and they responded to the scene to begin negotiations with Neal, trying to end the situation peacefully, police said.
Negotiations went into the evening and overnight hours. The SWAT team was eventually swapped for the Connecticut State Police SWAT team around 4:30 a.m. after nearly 14 hours.
Contact was not made inside the residence after the switch, police said.
At some point, while on scene, officials heard a woman yelling in distress from inside the home. Officials said it was decided that the SWAT team would initiate a hostage rescue operation.
They were able to evacuate the woman safely and she was taken to the hospital for evaluation. State police said there didn't appear to be any injuries to her.
When SWAT team members entered the second floor of the home, they found Neal dead and a gunshot wound to his person.
A cause of death is yet to be determined for Neal but Guilford officials said it's believed to be a self-inflicted gunshot.
The situation Wednesday afternoon prompted area schools to go into a soft lockdown until the end of their school day. All schools were open Thursday, the Guilford superintendent said.
A shelter-in-place order had been implemented in the area but was lifted around 8 a.m. Thursday.
Police said at this time they don't know what prompted the fire or the barricading incident and the investigation is ongoing.
This is a developing story.
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