by Dan Doyle and Alex Lloyd Gross
A crime scene that rattled a normally quiet community unfolded yesterday on the unit block of Heather Drive in Northampton Township. Officers were dispatched to the street to conduct a welfare check at a residence. When they arrived, they were greeted by a male holding a knife. Within minutes, a barricade situation was declared.
This prompted a large police response, and the area was quickly cordoned off. The suspect barricaded himself inside the home, armed with a knife, and refused to allow officers to approach. Police attempted to assess the situation using a drone, which was able to peer through windows and doors.
SWAT officers eventually gained entry into the house and later into the room where the suspect was holed up. He refused to cooperate or be taken into custody. Eventually, the male—who is not being named because he has not yet been charged—was handcuffed and removed from the home.
Inside the home,the bodies of three people were discovered. Sources said they had been stabbed to death. Police could not say how long they had been in the house or even if the stabbing was the cause of death. That information has to come from the medical examiner, according to police at the scene.
Officers speaking on condition of anonymity said the suspect was pepper-sprayed multiple times and possibly tased. An ambulance was seen leaving the property shortly after 8:00 p.m. with a police escort.
According to Bucks County District Attorney spokesperson Manny Gamiz, “I cannot confirm or deny that the suspect is in the hospital or where he is, but I can tell you that he is in custody. We will have more information tomorrow when the investigation is complete.”
Dan Doyle Photo Delaware Valley News.com Police at the scene of the barricaded male last night.
Police remained stationed at both ends of Heather Road, keeping curious onlookers away. Residents largely stayed inside despite a large crime scene truck parked in the middle of the street.