By MIKE HOOVER
Article Last Updated: 04/01/2008 10:23:31 AM EDT
One person is dead after a standoff in North Codorus Township that lasted more than 12 hours, according to the York County Coroner's Office.
Around 10 a.m., the coroner's office was called to Salem Village Apartments, where Southwestern Regional Police and the York County Quick Response Team have been at a standoff since 8:30 p.m. Monday.
According to York County 911 reports, police and emergency responders were still on the scene of the standoff at an apartment house in the 3500 block of Messersmith Road as of 10:20 a.m. The identity of the deceased has not been released. Members of the Quick Response Team appeared to be packing up to leave.
Police said the man involved in the standoff had been evicted Monday but then had returned to the apartment and refused to leave.
Many who live in the area, including Allen Gauthier, 42, were not allowed to go to their homes, and some were evacuated from them when the standoff began.
Gauthier said he came home from work at the Wal-Mart McDonald's in West Manchester Township around 5 a.m., and was told he couldn't go to his home at 3533 Messersmith Road.
Around two hours later, Gauthier said he heard what sounded like gunshots as he stood in the rain and waited for news.
A few minutes later, he saw members of the Quick Response Team throw "smoke bombs" into the house where the standoff is taking place, but then saw one bomb get thrown back outside.
Gauthier said he was trying to wait it out because he wanted to go home.
He said his country neighborhood is quiet, and nothing like this has happened in the years since he's lived there.
A couple who also lives on Messersmith Road, Shawn Landheart, his girlfriend, Ashley Kinard, and their 6-month-old daughter, Nicole, have been out of their home since last night.
When the couple returned from Wal-Mart last night, they saw police officers at the home next door.
The officers were trying to get through the front door, which appeared to be barricaded, they said.
Kinard said police later told them that a man inside the house had a gun and had leveled it at officers.
The police left the house and yelled to the couple to "Get the hell out of there!"
An officer from Southwestern Regional Police borrowed Kinard's cell phone to call for backup, Kinard said.
Later, the Quick Response Team and other officers come to the scene. Landheart said they watched the man who lives in the home break out its window.
Messersmith Road, between Tunnel Hill Road and Glatfelter Station Road remained close as of 10 a.m. today, according to York County 911 reports.
Officials closed down another road near the standoff this morning, Noss Road.
Additional information on the standoff will be posted as it becomes available.
