Unwanted Man Refusing To Leave Apartment Building Spurs Two Hour Standoff

MANCHESTER, NH — A tense, two-hour standoff between police and a barricaded man experiencing a mental health crisis concluded peacefully this afternoon when the man was taken into custody by Manchester police.

The incident began on Thursday, around 12:15 p.m., when officers were dispatched to an apartment building on Douglas St. in response to a report of a man in distress. Upon arrival, officers identified the man as Demetrius Williams, 44, of Manchester. Officers confirmed that Williams did not reside at the Douglas Street address and was refusing commands to leave the apartment.

The Manchester Police Department established a perimeter and initiated contact with Williams. For more than two hours, police negotiators attempted to persuade him to surrender safely, communicating via both phone calls and text messages. Williams remained uncooperative throughout the lengthy negotiation period, according to MPD Spokesperson Heather Hamel.

To ensure the safety of Williams and the arresting officers, police deployed less-lethal methods during the final phase of the standoff. The situation was ultimately resolved when he reportedly broke a window, and officers were then able to take him into custody without further incident.

Williams sustained injuries while breaking the window and was transported to a local hospital for treatment.

Following the incident, Williams was formally charged with criminal trespass and resisting arrest.

Given the context of the incident, the Manchester Police Department confirmed that they are actively exploring options to connect Williams with appropriate mental health treatment following his release from the hospital.