Little Meadows standoff ends in arrest

BY STACI WILSON

A Little Meadows man barricaded himself in his 629 Pennsylvania Avenue home Tuesday after police responded to a disturbance at the residence and a report of gun shots fired.

According to police, David Shears, age 50, pointed a rifle and threatened to kill Colin Clements, who also resides at the home. A neighbor reported hearing the gunshot and said he believed the bullet hit his home.

After several hours, and with Shears refusing to come out of the home, tear gas rounds were fired into the residence and the State Police Special Emergency Response Team conducted an extraction of Shears from the residence, resulting in his arrest.

He was transported by emergency personnel to Robert Packard Hospital, Syare, for treatment from exposure to tear gas.

Neighbors had reported hearing the sound of gunfire at the scene but no shots were fired by police or Shears. The noise heard by neighbors was from the tear gas rounds fired into the home.

Pennsylvania State Police attempted to remove Shears from the residence prior to tear gas being utilized, but he did not respond to verbal commands from the police patrol car public address system. Police also attempted knocking at the door. Phone calls were made to Shears from members of his family, friends and his parole officer but he refuse to come out of the home.

Charges will be filed on Shears upon his release from the hospital. The cause of the initial disturbance is under investigation. In a release issued by police, it was not made clear as to whether Clements sustained any injuries.

Tpr. Mark Keyes is investigating.