SWAT situation in Youngwood ends with suspect shooting himself

YOUNGWOOD, Pa. — A seven-hour standoff paralyzed part of Youngwood on Tuesday after neighbors heard a man firing shots off his back porch.

It ended with the gunman taking his own life.

Investigators said David Joseph Havranek came out of the home in the 400 block of South Fourt Street on Tuesday morning and fired numerous shots, including 12 into a nearby truck plowing snow – three of them into the windshield.

The driver was unhurt, and Havranek barricaded himself inside his home.

Police responded, and shut down a section of Route 119. They urged neighbors to stay in their basements and motorists to avoid the area.

"We are concerned for the people in the nearby community,” Pennsylvania State Trooper Steve Limani said. “If they could shelter in place, go to the basement.  If there's an emergency, if they need to call state police, we will have guys come in and escort them for emergency purposes.”

Neighbor Michael Bath was clearing off his car to go to work when he heard loud pops, and looked over to see his neighbor two doors down with a handgun.

PHOTOS: State police on scene of 'barricaded gunman situation' in Youngwood

"Heard a bang -- at first thought it may be a firecracker or something, and I turned around and the guy was standing on his back porch with his pistol firing off a few rounds,” Bath said.

Channel 11 heard a series of flashbangs go off, and eventually tear gas was deployed inside the house. Eventually, police say cameras observed Havranek dead inside.

"For all intents and purposes, we believe he took his life shortly after the short outburst of gunfire he created,” Limani said.

Police said it was not Havranek’s home -- it was his brother’s, and another brother lived there as well. They told police they were upstairs when they heard the gunshots and heard David say, "They are after me and I'm going to get them.”

Westmoreland County Community College issued an alert on Twitter about the situation.

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