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Armed man surrenders in Washington County
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An armed, suicidal man whom police surrounded Monday in a wooded area behind a Walmart in West Brownsville, Washington County, was taken for a mental health evaluation after he surrendered.
John Kerik, 28, of West Brownsville, surrendered about 3:30 p.m., ending a nearly five-hour standoff with police from at least six departments. No one was injured and no shots were fired, state police Trooper Stefani Plume said.
Mr. Kerik, who lives with his mother in West Brownsville, recently signed himself out of the mental health ward of Highlands Hospital in Connellsville, Southwest Regional Police Chief John Hartman said.
Mr. Kerik drove Monday to his father's house in Newell and took his brother's rifle from the residence without permission, Chief Hartman said.
Mr. Kerik then showed up at an ex-girlfriend's house in Uniontown. When she did not let him in, he left and was next seen on Main Street in West Brownsville walking with the rifle, the chief said.
The chief said his department will charge Mr. Kerik with theft. He also has an outstanding bench warrant related to not appearing in civil court for a domestic relations case in August in Fayette County, the chief said.
First Published December 18, 2012 12:00 am
