Man Dies After Hourslong Kennesaw Standoff

KENNESAW, GA — A father is dead, and his children are safe, after an hourslong SWAT standoff Monday in the 4100 block of Kentmere Main, Kennesaw Police said Monday evening.

Officers were called around 11 a.m. to the scene after a 42-year-old man called 911 and threatened to commit suicide. Police said the man told dispatch he was armed with a gun.

When officers arrived, they learned multiple juveniles were inside of the home. They were able to get the juveniles out of the home but could not establish communication with the man, police said.

Cobb County Police confirmed to Patch the department assisted Kennesaw Police with a SWAT call.

An arrest warrant was secured to charge the man on suspicion of reckless conduct and second-degree cruelty to children; but, police said when SWAT took control of the scene and entered the home, the man was found dead from an apparent self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police identified the juveniles as the man's children and said they have been safely reunited with their family.

“While we may never understand what led to this tragic circumstance, it is important to remember there are surviving family members and friends," Kennesaw Police Chief Bill Westenberger said in a news release. "Please join us and keeping these survivors in your thoughts and prayers. Our department greatly appreciates the assistance of the Cobb County Police Department and Kennesaw/Acworth 911 for their hard work during this difficult incident.”