An elderly woman is dead after being caught in the crossfire during a seven-hour standoff between a man and police in Bucks County.
FOX 29's Dawn Timmeney reported live Wednesday morning from the scene where it all happened.
An elderly woman is dead after being caught in the crossfire during a seven-hour standoff between a man and police in Bucks County.
FOX 29 cameras were rolling as the suspect was taken into custody overnight.
Police were initially called to the 2000 building of the Jefferson on the Creek Apartment Complex on the 600 block of East Street Road in Warminster for a domestic disturbance, and the incident was referred to a domestic violence case worker.
At approximately 7:40 p.m., a second call was made by police reporting shots fired at the same residence.
"The responding officers were met by detectives who were in the complex on a non-related investigation and who responded to the area after hearing the gunfire. As they approached the 2000 building the officers came under heavy fire from the upstairs apartment. Officers returned fire," police said in a news release.
During the exchange, a 90-year-old woman – the downstairs neighbor of the suspected gunman – was struck by gunfire and died of her wounds at the scene.
Police negotiators were able to talk the suspected gunman out around 2:30 a.m. He has been identified as 49-year-old Andrew Cairns.
Police are not yet publicly identifying the deceased victim.
"The Warminster Police Department wishes to express our deepest sympathies to the family of deceased victim," police said in the news release. "Although we have notified the victim's family she has not been positively identified by the coroner's office therefore we will not release her name at this time."
Investigators aren't yet saying whether she was struck by police bullets or those fired by suspect. The Bucks County District Attorney's Office is handling the investigation.
Cairns is being held on aggravated assault charges at this time, but police said they anticipate additional charges will be filed. He's being arraigned at 11:45 a.m. in magisterial district court in Warminster.
During the barricade standoff, many people in the area were being told to stay inside their homes. The American Red Cross had also set up a center at William Tennent High School for anyone displaced by the situation. Those residents were allowed to return Wednesday morning.
FOX 29's Dawn Timmeney has more details in the video report above.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:10 GMT
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Monday, June 17 2013 10:21 PM EDT2013-06-18 02:21:46 GMT
In Chester County, there was damage caused by severe storms as they ripped through the area this afternoon. It did not take long but it did quite a bit of damage.
In Chester County, there was damage caused by severe storms as they ripped through the area this afternoon. It did not take long but it did quite a bit of damage.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:43 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:43:10 GMT
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Times are tough for many in Philadelphia with almost half a million people turning to food pantries just to survive. Several organizations are working to provide healthy options.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:23 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:23:12 GMT
For the second time in one week, officers from the PSPCA are rescuing cats from another hoarding situation.17 cats have been rescued so far from a rowhome on the 2000 block of Margaret Street.
For the second time in one week, officers from the PSPCA are rescuing cats from another hoarding situation.17 cats have been rescued so far from a rowhome on the 2000 block of Margaret Street.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 10:20 PM EDT2013-06-19 02:20:21 GMT
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Doctor Michelle Liggio was a very popular Pensauken doctor. Tonight she's a murder victim. Police say her husband shot her inside her office before turning the gun on himself.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:56 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:56:59 GMT
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
In Delaware County, a man is charged with raping a woman. And what led to his arrest--her iPhone. Upper Darby police arrested 23-year-old Gaurave Kumar for sexually assaulting his ex-girlfriend.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 8:55 PM EDT2013-06-19 00:55:15 GMT
Bensalem police have arrested the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in. They previously released a series of suspect photos to help in the search.
Bensalem police have arrested the suspect wanted for stabbing a man during a vehicle break-in. They previously released a series of suspect photos to help in the search.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:58 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:58:16 GMT
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Under a "doomsday" budget now being enacted, schools and students in the city of Philadelphia are facing devastating losses. Philadelphia is trying to convince the state not to let it happen.
Tuesday, June 18 2013 6:07 PM EDT2013-06-18 22:07:39 GMT
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
Published reports are saying this is a murder/suicide. The victim is 47 year old family practice doctor Michelle Liggio, and the alleged gunman is her estranged husband 58 year old Christopher.
FOX 13 / WTVT-TV 3213 West Kennedy Blvd. Tampa, Florida 33609 Main: (813) 876-1313 Newsroom: (813) 870-9630 Fax: (813) 871-3135