SWAT standoff in Kennesaw ends in suicide

An armed man making threats while inside a Kennesaw house with multiple children sparked a SWAT standoff that ended with the man shooting himself. 

Due to the circumstances, Kennesaw police said they were not releasing the identities of those involved but did confirm that no other injuries occurred.

According to Officer David Buchanan, a Kennesaw Police Department spokesman, the incident began at 4113 Kentmere Main when a man called 911 around 11:05 a.m. and threatened suicide. 

The 42-year-old man told the 911 operator that he had a gun. Upon learning there were multiple children at the home, police responded immediately and were successful in getting them out of the home. Police later identified the man as the father of the children.

Kennesaw Police initially spoke with the man over the phone but later lost contact. They turned to the Cobb County Police Department SWAT team and requested help. SWAT entered the home and found the man dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

In speaking about the children, Buchanan said they “have been safely reunited with their family. While we may never understand what led to his tragic circumstance, it is important to remember there are surviving family members and friends.”

Kennesaw Police Chief Bill Westenberger said in a news release. “Please join us and keep these survivors in your thoughts and prayers.”