RAYMOND, Miss. — A 52-year-old man died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound following a lengthy standoff with law enforcement on Tuesday, July 29, in Raymond, Mississippi. Authorities have identified the man as Richard Barry Lowery.
According to Hinds County Sheriff Tyree Jones, the incident began Tuesday afternoon when deputies responded to a home on Bill Downing Road in an attempt to serve a court order for Lowery’s transport to a mental health facility. However, the situation quickly escalated when Lowery fled from authorities, eventually barricading himself inside a home that did not belong to him.
The occupants of the home were reportedly outside at the time of the incident and were not harmed. Sheriff Jones confirmed that there was no connection between Lowery and the residents of the property.
For several hours, deputies, along with the SWAT team and crisis negotiators, attempted to make contact with Lowery and convince him to surrender peacefully. Negotiators employed various tactics, including the use of chemical agents, but Lowery remained barricaded and unresponsive to commands.
Tragically, the standoff ended just before 8 p.m. when deputies entered the home and found Lowery dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The Hinds County Sheriff’s Office emphasized that no hostages were involved and no other injuries were reported. The investigation into the full circumstances of the incident is ongoing.
Sheriff Jones expressed his condolences to Lowery’s family and took the opportunity to highlight the importance of mental health support. Authorities are urging anyone struggling with mental health issues or suicidal thoughts to seek help immediately by contacting emergency services or mental health hotlines, which are available 24/7.
This incident underscores the critical need for mental health intervention and resources within the community.
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