Barricade situation in Southwest Memphis neighborhood ends with suspect, father dead

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WMC) - Memphis police are investigating a barricade situation in a Southwest Memphis neighborhood where the suspect and his father were found dead, police say.

A crime scene was set up at a home on Heartland Lane with multiple police officers at the scene.

Police blocked off a large portion of the neighborhood, not far from Horn Lake Road. The scene erupted at around 3 p.m. Friday afternoon.

At around 9 p.m., there was a bright flash, a loud bang, and a SWAT team was seen entering the home.

Police confirmed that the suspect and his father were found dead when SWAT members entered the house. Police say the suspect shot himself.

Memphis Animal Services (MAS) was also called to the scene.

Family members say the man barricaded himself inside the home, which he shares with his mother, father, and sister.

They say his mother, father, sister, daughter, and the daughter’s mother were all held hostage inside the home.

They say he eventually let his mother go, and police say officers convinced him to let his 4-year-old daughter leave the home safely.

The child’s mother was also let out of the house, family say.

The man’s sister was not home when the situation erupted.

Family members say the man has struggled with mental health issues in the past year, and the has family tried, unsuccessfully, to get him help.

There’s no word from MPD on what sparked the investigation at this time.

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