A 21-hour standoff between police and a man who has been charged with first-degree murder ended at 7:20 a.m. today when Andrew Reedy surrendered, Brookfield police said in a press release issued at about 9 a.m.
As of 9:30, police still were at the scene at 545 Lucy St., presumably gathering evidence.
The incident brought unusual attention to this residential neighborhood and prevented some residents from leaving or getting to their homes overnight.
Andrew Reedy. Contributed photo.
Police were first dispatched to 545 Lucy at 9:52 a.m. Dec. 20 for an unwanted person, police said. Reedy had been evicted from the home by a court order at the request of homeowner Jane Payton, and was trying to get inside, according to police and court records.
Police found the doors locked at the home and no vehicles present. They were unable to get anyone to answer the door, and a phone call to the person who had called for help was unsuccessful, police said.
Police called the 57-year-old Reedy, who answered the phone and told them he had returned to the house to retrieve an item he had left there, police said. Reedy also said he had left the house and the caller had left in her vehicle right after him, police said.
Police still could not reach the caller and suspected that some of the information they had been given was incorrect, they said. They forced their way into the home and found Payton, 57, deceased and with a large wound to the chest, police said.
Police began searching the rest of the house when they heard a gun go off from the second floor, they said. They backed out and waited for more officers and equipment to arrive on the scene, then re-entered. Police called for Reedy and he said something and then “racked” the action of a firearm, police said.
Police left the house again and called for the Mahoning Valley Crisis Response Team, comprised of police officers from different departments who have specialized training and equipment, including two armored vehicles.
CRT members also set up sniper positions, one of whom camped out under a neighboring children’s playset.
A CRT member using a public address system called out Reedy by name at 11:45 a.m. and asked him to come to the back door with his hands up. This went on for some time. CRT then set off a flash bang-type of device at 12:15 and re-entered the house.
At 1:15 p.m., police walked door to door on Syme Street asking residents to leave, go into their basements or get behind a solid wall, out of concern that shots could be fired. Police escorted at least one person to another home in the neighborhood.
At 1:45 p.m., CRT asked Reedy to answer his phone. The announcer said he needed to know that Reedy was OK, and that he wanted to help him.
At 2:05 p.m., the announcer asked Reedy to put his gun down. CRT members were then seen putting on gas masks.
Although police made no public statements, it appeared that they eventually decided to wait him out.
The Trumbull County Prosecutor’s Office filed the murder charge with Trumbull County Eastern District Court while police were still trying to get Reedy to come out.
Brookfield police were assisted by police from many jurisdictions over the course of the incident, and the FBI also joined the negotiating team, police said.
After Reedy’s arrest, he was taken to a hospital for a medical evaluation for a gunshot wound to the face, police said.
As events unfolded, people came from near and far to watch the proceedings. Rubberneckers drove up and down Syme Street, from where they could see the rear of the house, some parking for periods of time. Phones captured video as CRT members in camouflage gear, helmets, defensive vests, rifles and shields moved about the neighborhood. One of the armored vehicles would back down Lucy, then drive back to the house; this occurred numerous times. Police eventually closed off sections of Ohio Street, and Syme Street and limited access to Columbia Street. Two Brookfield Fire-EMS ambulances waited nearby.
Social media patrons posted about what was happening and what they were learning from those at the scene.
Neighbors called the scene “crazy” and “wild,” and reported back and forth what they heard and saw.
One resident of the area noted that while people were talking about a gunshot, he had not heard it. He added that hearing gunshots is not uncommon.
The resident said there had not been any problems on Lucy.
“This is definitely out of the ordinary,” he said.
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