Front Royal P.D. says man in fatal armed barricade didn't fire at police

Photo byWatchful Eye

Today, Front Royal Police Department retracted claims about the shots fired by a 39-year-old man who reportedly took his life during an armed barricade.

According to Front Royal Police Department, three officers responded to a domestic disturbance call in the 200 block of West 8^th Street on Monday, shortly after 11 p.m. As those officers approached a woman in the front yard of the residence, police reported that there was a man in the residence with a handgun.

In the initial report, FRPD claimed the man fired multiple shots from handgun through a front window in the officers’ direction.

Today, FRPD clarified that an investigation of the scene determined only one shot was fired in the home. That shot shattered the front window “leading officers to believe the shots were aimed towards them,” the department stated.

“No shots were fired at officers. We regret any inaccuracies in previous statements,” said FRPD.

According to police, the officers on the scene did not return fire, but took cover, established a perimeter was established around the residence, and called in Warren County Sheriff’s Office.

The female at the scene informed police that, in addition to the man, there were two young children inside the home.

Police deemed the scene an “armed barricade,” which led to reinforcements from Virginia State Police, Winchester Police, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office.

But according to FRPD, despite their attempts, authorities couldn’t establish contact with the man in the residence.

FRPD said officers eventually went in the house through the back and retrieved the two children. Both were unharmed.

Police continued trying to communicate with the man to no avail, FRPD stated. Later, they deployed gas canisters, but still reportedly didn’t get a response.

Frederick Sheriff’s Office sent in a drone, which led to the discovery that the suspect was dead, and police went in and confirmed the death at around 3 a.m., said FRPD.

The suspect was identified as George Edward Mulligan Jr. According to FRPD, he was killed by self-inflicted injury.

Follow the Watchful Eye on Twitter, Facebook, & Instagram to keep up with what's happening in Virginia!