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Man Who Died In Armed Standoff Near North Salem ID'd

SOUTHEAST, N.Y. -- Monday's armed standoff in Southeast between police and a man who barricaded himself inside his home ended with his apparent suicide with a firearm, the Putnam County Sheriff's office announced.

The home of George Bateman on Nichols Drive in Southeast.

The home of George Bateman on Nichols Drive in Southeast.

Photo Credit: Google Maps

The man has been identified as George Bateman, a 60-year-old resident of Nichols Road, which is located off of Route 121, near North Salem.

The standoff began on Monday afternoon, the sheriff's office stated, after Bateman called his life-insurance agent and expressed suicidal thoughts. Bateman also threatened to harm any police who go to his residence, the sheriff's office added.

The insurance agent contacted the sheriff's office to report Bateman's call, which led to authorities responding to the house.

Bateman briefly came outside during the standoff while holding a gun and wearing a bullet-proof vest, the sheriff's office said. Negotiations were held to end the standoff, but those proved unsuccessful.

Authorities subsequently sent a remote-controlled robot inside Bateman's, which led to the discovery of his apparent suicide. 

Bateman was pronounced dead at the scene, the sheriff's office added, and the county Coroner's office is requesting an autopsy to find out about his exact cause of death.

The sheriff's office added that, when authorities entered the house, two loaded revolvers and several spent bullet casings were discovered. Three dogs were also found but were unharmed, according to the sheriff's office.

Nichols Road and part of Route 121 were closed for seven hours due to the standoff, the sheriff's office added. An armored vehicle was used to evacuate neighboring residents and a phone message was sent out by authorities to warn others to stay inside their homes.

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