Armed man grabbed neighbor… residential staff member took refuge...

HYANNIS – Police rushed to the Dorothy Bearse Apartments at 118 High School Road at about 6:07PM last evening for a call which originally came in as some sort of “home invasion…”

… it wasn’t.

The apartments are a residential program for individuals in need of mental health services.

As police responded they learned one of the staff members needed to lock himself inside an office in order to take refuge from the man armed with a knife.

A female resident was also grabbed at some point by the knife welding man prior to the arrival of officers.

One of the first patrolmen on scene encountered the disturbed man barricaded behind a door, at this point with the knife held to his chest. He was apparently cutting himself with the knife when one of the first officers on scene made the decision to kick in the dead-bolted door.

The suspect then reportedly obeyed police commands and dropped the knife.

Hyannis Rescue responded to help the man who was said to have non-life-threatening cuts. He was able to walk outside to an awaiting ambulance. He was transported to CCH for observation and further treatment.

Police will be summoning the man into court for charges related to Assault and Battery… along with Injury to Real and Personal Property.

The officer who kicked the door in was not injured, but was definitely feeling the adrenalin after it was finally over. Barnstable Police Patrolman Brendan Burchell’s quick thinking and actions definitely prevented the situation from escalating further and very likely saved life.

The following video includes police radio communications and highlights the entire incident…

[Press play… select HD in the settings and enlarge player for best quality…]