False alarm blamed for locking down Wilkes-Barre college

An hours-long siege that began with a report of a man armed with a gun ended without incident Friday afternoon when an FBI assault team raided an apartment building and found it empty.

The apparent standoff began around 8:45 a.m. Friday with a report of what police described as a man with a “‘war-like’ gun talking about suicide.” Police Chief Joseph Coffay said the tip was deemed “credible as reported.”

The report prompted WilkesBarre police to stop traffic along North River Street and surround the apartment building, while King’s College locked down its McGowan School of Business and suspended classes at that facility.

For over three hours, city police aimed assault rifles at the building at 91 N. River St. and used a bullhorn to urge evacuation.

“Occupants of 91 N. River St. This is the Wilkes-Barre Police Department. Come to the front door. Do it now. Do it with your hands in the air,” an officer called out.

At one point, three women exited the front door of the apartment building with their hands held over their heads.

As a gas-powered drone soared into the sky to get an aerial view of the building, an FBI assault team gathered near the intersection of River and Union streets.

After huddling in discussion for a time, the team moved to the rear of the building and made entry.

By around 12:15 p.m., officers in the front lowered their weapons and the police began clearing the scene, allowing traffic that was extensively backed up to resume on River Street.

Authorities later confirmed the initial report appeared to have been a false alarm.

Police said nobody was found inside of the building.