GRAFTON – Law enforcement took an armed man into custody on Saturday morning following a standoff on East Street in Grafton, police said.
There were no injuries in the incident, which saw a response from a number of area agencies, including the CEMLEC SWAT unit.
“Thank you [Grafton Police Department] and responding agencies for all you do!” read a message on the town of Grafton’s Facebook page on Saturday afternoon.
Grafton Sgt. Michael Mazzola and Ofc. Thomas Farrell responded to 25 East Street around 9:30 a.m. in regards to a disturbance, police said.
“The caller indicated that an Asian male at that location threatened her boyfriend, pointing a gun at him,” chief Normand Crepeau wrote in his department’s statement.
Police arrived on scene to find the man “acting strangely,” according to Crepeau, who added that this was “possibly due to intoxication or mental health issues.”
The man reportedly did not comply with officers’ orders to show his hands, instead moving to a fenced-in area that was out of sight of officers.
Grafton Police received backup from the Shrewsbury Police Department and the State Police, which helped create a perimeter around the scene, Crepeau wrote.
Police also called on the CEMLEC SWAT unit, which included a negotiator to speak with the man.
“The subject continued to act erratically, coming out from the fenced in area periodically to yell at officers present,” Crepeau wrote.
SWAT officers eventually subdued the man after he again exited that fenced in area.
He was taken to UMass Hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Millbury Police, Worcester Police and Worcester County Sheriffs Office personnel also aided in this response, according to Crepeau.
An investigation is ongoing, with criminal charges forthcoming.
