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COVINGTON, Ky. – The Army veteran who held area police at bay for more than 19 hours set fire to the house he had barricaded himself in and exchanged gunfire with officers before being taken into custody.
Covington police confirmed the arrest of Michael Vaughan, a military veteran who lived in the 4300 block of Michigan Avenue. At about 1 p.m. Sunday, Vaughan set his house ablaze and then opened fire on police. After sustaining a gunshot wound to his arm he surrendered to officers.
Vaughan was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment.
The standoff on Michigan Avenue in the Latonia neighborhood of Covington began at 5 p.m. Saturday after police responded to requests from callers concerned about Vaughan making distressing comments on Facebook.
Specifically, Vaughan posted that he had no reason to live after his girlfriend left him.
When police arrive, Vaughan was holed up inside the home with his three children. Police SWAT teams were summoned and a long night of watching, waiting and negotiating began with the gunman who Covington Police Chief Spike Jones described as a “decorated military veteran” suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Throughout Jones expressed optimism that the situation could be resolved peacefully. Just before dawn the police chief said, "We are optimistic at this time that dialog will continue to improve.”
About 8:30 a.m. police reported the man had released his 15-, 11-, and 5-year-old children to the Newport SWAT units who were on the scene to assist.
“The kids came out in good condition,” Jones said. "We are more interested in getting the man the help he needs right now."
The children were put in the care other family members and then the waiting and negotiating began again, continuing for another four and half hours until Vaughan surrendered.
It was not immediately clear what charges Vaughan would face as a result of the standoff with the police.
Covington police confirmed the arrest of Michael Vaughan, a military veteran who lived in the 4300 block of Michigan Avenue. At about 1 p.m. Sunday, Vaughan set his house ablaze and then opened fire on police. After sustaining a gunshot wound to his arm he surrendered to officers.
Vaughan was taken to the University of Cincinnati Medical Center for treatment.
The standoff on Michigan Avenue in the Latonia neighborhood of Covington began at 5 p.m. Saturday after police responded to requests from callers concerned about Vaughan making distressing comments on Facebook.
Specifically, Vaughan posted that he had no reason to live after his girlfriend left him.
When police arrive, Vaughan was holed up inside the home with his three children. Police SWAT teams were summoned and a long night of watching, waiting and negotiating began with the gunman who Covington Police Chief Spike Jones described as a “decorated military veteran” suffering from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
Throughout Jones expressed optimism that the situation could be resolved peacefully. Just before dawn the police chief said, "We are optimistic at this time that dialog will continue to improve.”
About 8:30 a.m. police reported the man had released his 15-, 11-, and 5-year-old children to the Newport SWAT units who were on the scene to assist.
“The kids came out in good condition,” Jones said. "We are more interested in getting the man the help he needs right now."
The children were put in the care other family members and then the waiting and negotiating began again, continuing for another four and half hours until Vaughan surrendered.
It was not immediately clear what charges Vaughan would face as a result of the standoff with the police.
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