Princeton Police say charges are pending against a local man after a lengthy standoff Monday night ended when the suspect reportedly sustained a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
Assistant Chief Shane Allison says officers and deputies with the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office responded to a home near the 500 block of East Shephardson Street for a male subject that had allegedly brandished a firearm at medical emergency personnel that responded to an emergency call at the residence.
After officers and deputies arrived on the scene, 70–year old Richard A. Oliver reportedly pointed a firearm at them and barricaded himself within his residence. Allison says negotiators then attempted to mediate a peaceful resolution with Oliver for three hours and 45 minutes.
At 10:45 p.m., Assistant Chief Allison reported that officers heard Oliver calling for help from within the residence before they approached and observed him lying on the floor with a gunshot wound to his leg. Upon entering the home, officers initiated life–saving measures and secured the scene for EMS to arrive. Allision says it’s unknown at this time whether the gunshot wound was accidental or intentional.
Oliver was transported by ambulance to Caldwell County Hospital and later transferred to Lourdes Hospital in Paducah.
Officers were assisted at the scene by negotiators from Kentucky State Police and the Madisonville Police Department, the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office, and Caldwell County EMS.
Assistant Chief Allison also expressed his gratitude to the public for their cooperation and assistance in helping the Princeton Police Department in their attempt to resolve the situation.
