New Jersey Officer Dead After Standoff

PISCATAWAY, N.J. -- The name of the Piscataway cop who barricaded himself inside his home in a 10-hour standoff with police has been released. Detective Sgt. David L. Powell died at the scene.

It is unclear if Powell killed himself or was killed by responding officers.

The standoff began at 3:15 p.m. Sunday when the Powell barricaded himself inside his Parkside Avenue home, according to Piscataway Mayor Brian Wahler.

Four shots were fired at about 4p.m. as responding officers attempted persuade Powell to exit his home. It is unclear if the gunfire came from within the home or from officers at the scene, but reports say they came from inside the house.

"I heard gunshots, which I thought were firecrackers," one neighbor told PIX 11 News. "I opened my door [...] and I noticed there were cops all over the place with their rifles drawn and they were hiding behind a house."

Another neighbor, who did not want to be identified, told PIX 11 News this is not the first time the Piscataway officer has "flipped out" and is not surprised about Sunday's events.

The neighbor also described Powell as a 20-year veteran of the Piscatay police force who was coping with a divorce and other problems.

It is not known what initially sparked the standoff.

Surrounding streets in the residential neighborhood were closed to traffic and several neighbors were evacuated from their homes.

Officers from the Piscataway Police Department and Middlesex County SWAT Team responded to the scene.

The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office is scheduled to release more information Monday about the circumstances of the standoff and shootings.

Monday morning officers were still guarding the Parkside Avenue home, and investigators were inside gathering evidence.

McClatchy-Tribune News Service