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Cumby standoff ends in suicide

Sulphur Springs Police have said that a standoff in Cumby ended in suicide today.
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Sulphur Springs Police have said that a standoff in Cumby ended in suicide today.

A police attempt to serve a warrant to a Cumby man led to a standoff that ended in a Cumby man’s death, apparently by suicide, according to police.

Sulphur Springs Police Chief Jay Sanders said that his department’s Special Crimes Unit went to Commerce Street in Cumby this morning to serve a warrant to a man living there. The man came to the door with a rifle but did not point it at the officers, he said. As officers took cover and the man went back inside, Sanders said. Officers then heard a gunshot, he said. Police called the Hopkins County Command SWAT unit to provide backup.

The man negotiated with police for two hours, then cut off contact and would not answer phone calls, police said. Officers launched tear gas canisters into the house, with no response, officials said. Officers then forced entry and found the man dead of what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound, Sanders said.  

Cumby High School and Cumby Elementary Schools were placed into lockdown as soon as the incident began and the lockdown was lifted later this afternoon. 

Mark Haslett has served at KETR since 2013. Since then, the station's news operation has enjoyed an increase in listener engagement and audience metrics, as well recognition in the Texas AP Broadcasters awards.