Middleboro man found dead after police standoff

A 38-year-old man — who cops say fired a rifle at a K-9 officer as they tried to execute an arrest warrant — was found dead last night in his home in Middleboro after a seven-hour standoff.

Authorities said they arrived at the home of John Mann on Wareham Street at about 9:30 a.m. yesterday with the Plymouth County Sherriff’s Department Warrant Unit.

Police said Mann fired one round at a K-9 officer who was at the rear of the home, causing officers to fall back.

Mann then barricaded himself inside the house for several hours, police said.

A perimeter was established and nearby residents were told to shelter in place and avoid the area, authorities said.

Middleboro police Chief Joseph Perkins said state police, Middleboro police and the FBI were on scene as a team of negotiators tried to contact the suspect.

Perkins said family members were outside the home at the time and were used to help make contact with the suspect.

“None of the officers sustained any injuries and we’re just trying to resolve this as peacefully as possible. That is why we’re taking our time. We’re being methodical in our attempts to apprehend the suspect, and we’re trying our best for a peaceful outcome,” Perkins said hours after the standoff began.

Authorities said the house was eventually breached by officers and they located Mann’s body on the first floor in the rear of the home. He was unresponsive and pronounced dead at the scene before 6 p.m.

Police said two handguns and a rifle were recovered from the home and seized as evidence.

Police did not immediately say what the charges on the arrest warrant were.