Standoff in Canonsburg
Law enforcement call through a megaphone for residents to surrender during a standoff Tuesday.
Local police officials and members of a SWAT team attend to the scene of a standoff situation in Canonsburg Tuesday.
Police are involved in a standoff in the 100 block of Ashland Avenue, Canonsburg, Tuesday night.
Devan Byrd
Suspects of an armed robbery and police were involved in an active standoff Tuesday night at a home in the 100 block of Ashland Avenue in Canonsburg.
Borough Mayor David Rhome called it a “wait-and-see” situation and said it “could be a long night,” as officers from Canonsburg, Cecil and North Strabane Township police departments and Washington County SWAT responded to the home about 7 p.m.
A firefighter at the scene confirmed tear gas was shot inside the home after social media posts speculated about gunfire.
Immediate neighbors were evacuated. Residents in the nearby vicinity were asked to stay inside until the situation has been resolved.
A police zone has been established at Campbell’s Auto Repair near the scene.
“Let’s let police do their job, and hope this ends peacefully,” Rhome said.
According to Rhome, Devan Byrd was the victim of an armed robbery earlier Tuesday at 208 W. College St., Canonsburg. Byrd said he knew the suspects who entered his third-floor apartment.
According to Byrd, one suspect pulled a gun and held in him in the bedroom while three others ransacked the apartment.
Downstairs neighbors alerted police.
On their way out, the suspects allegedly ripped a surveillance camera from Byrd’s front porch.
Byrd said he was “afraid for his life” and felt it was “in his best interest not to fight.”
The incident comes on the heels of a fatal shooting in the borough Nov. 10 which left Dalia Elhefny Sabae and Officer Scott Bashioum dead and Officer James Saieva wounded.