Crime & Safety

Standoff Ends in Portsmouth; Woman Found Dead in Home

A more than 24-hour standoff in Portsmouth has ended tragically with the death of a Portsmouth woman. The cause of death appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound. 

Police discovered the body of a 56-year-old Portsmouth woman after entering the Union Street home Saturday afternoon. Members of the Rhode Island State Police tactical team entered the home after calls from negotiators went unanswered. 

"Negotiations continued throughout the afternoon and evening with the female to have her exit the home," according to a press release issued by the Portsmouth Police Department. 

"On Oct. 12 at 3:15 p.m., after calls made by the negotiators were not being answered, a Rhode Island State police tactical response unit entered the residence and discovered that the 56-year-old female had died from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound." 

The standoff began Friday afternoon at 1:15 p.m. when police were called to a Union Street residence. A relative of the 56-year-old woman called police. 

Officers found the 56-year-old woman alone in the bathroom with three weapons. 

"Police encountered the 56-year-old female alone in the bathroom of the residence with a gun pointed to her head and two additional firearms beside her," according to the press release. 

"Officers attempted negotiations with the female to drop her weapon and she would not comply. Officers exited the home and began negotiations over the phone with the female." 

Portsmouth police were assisted at the scene by negotiators of the Newport Police and the Rhode Island State Police. Police remained on Union Street overnight Friday into Saturday. 

Union Street from Botanica, the former Potting Shed, to Jepson Lane was closed to traffic after police continued negotiations. 

A "handful of homes" in the vicinity were also evacuated. Residents were asked to voluntarily leave their homes. 

Police did not release the identity of the 56-year-old woman.

Editor's note: Portsmouth Patch asks users to not name the victim in the comment section out of respect for the family and friends. 


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