NEWTOWN TOWNSHIP, Pa. (CBS) — Newtown Township Police said Sunday morning that they were in the area of Headley Drive and Newtown, about two hours after authorities first told people to avoid the area. The shelter-in-place order has been lifted for the area near Yardley Road.
In an update posted late afternoon, police confirmed the incident began after a report of physical assault by an armed person. Early in the morning, the Bucks County District Attorney's Office told CBS Philadelphia that police were dealing with a domestic incident that may have involved an armed individual.
According to police, officers arrived at a home on Independence Place in the Headley development around 7 a.m. and found the female victim running out the back of the property.
After learning the male suspect had a weapon, police said, “Out of an abundance of caution, the decision was made to activate the South Central Emergency Response Team due to the possibility of a possible trapping.Shelter in place order.'' is put out through social media and through the HOA.”
About two and a half hours later, police said they made contact with the man inside and took him into custody.
Police shut down Headley Drive at Newtown Yardley Road in Newtown Township, citing a “domestic situation.” Evacuation shelters have been set up for the surrounding community.Still working on figuring out exactly what's going on @CBSP Philadelphia pic.twitter.com/QssvlFSNIG
— Ross DiMattei CBS Philadelphia (@RossDiMattei) March 17, 2024
In a Facebook update around 10 a.m., the department said there was “no danger to the community” and that the “police operation was safely completed.”
Police first posted about sheltering in place on social media just after 8 a.m. Sunday, and entrances to the development at Headley Drive and Newtown Yardley Road were closed for several hours.
Police said the female victim suffered minor injuries during the “initial altercation” but refused medical treatment. There were no other injuries in the incident.
