One in custody after 8-hour standoff at Batavia home
BATAVIA (STMW) - A person is in police custody after barricading himself inside his home in Batavia for about eight hours Tuesday, prompting a lockdown at two schools in the western suburb.
About 1 p.m., officers responded to a call of a male threatening to harm himself at a home in the 800 block of Roberts Lane, according to a statement from Batavia police. When the officers made brief contact with the male, he refused to exit the building.
The male had access to “a number of firearms,” prompting officers to establish a security perimeter and call the Kane County Regional SWAT team to the scene, the statement said. Police said he was alone in the home.
Batavia High School at 1201 Main St. was placed on a soft lockdown, as was Alice Gustafson Elementary School at 905 Carlisle Road, according to school statements. Students were dismissed after 5 p.m. and were guided away from the area of the barricade situation.
Also, a shelter-in-place order was issued for nearby residents.
About 2:30 p.m., the male broke off contact with negotiators and authorities continued to reinitiate communication for several hours, police said.
By about 8:30 p.m., authorities decided to enter the home and check the well-being of the male, police said. He was taken into custody without incident, and was then taken to a hospital.
Police said Tuesday night the investigation was ongoing and no criminal charges were pending.
Classes were expected to be held as usual Wednesday, school district officials said.