Police: Man shoots self after SWAT standoff

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A SWAT standoff which has last several hours ended late Friday night after police said the suspect shot himself in the chest.

It started around 5:45 p.m. when DeKalb County Police received a 911 call from a home located in the 600 block of Valley Brook Road in Scottdale. Police said 21-year-old Blake Howell got into a fight with his roommate. The roommate was unharmed but was concerned about Howell’s emotional state. Police also were told he was armed.

The SWAT team was brought in because of the situation. Officers fired gas into the house several times and eventually made entry. Officers did not fire.

A little after 11 p.m. police said Howell had shot himself in the chest and was rushed to the hospital. Authorities said he is now in stable condition.

Police said they found two long guns in the home.

Howell has been charged with terroristic threats, battery, and criminal damage to property. Police say he also has warrants out from another agency for probation violation and obstruction as well as a disorderly conduct warrant from Cherokee County.

The road was closed for several hours while SWAT tried to talk to the man down.