Tear gas fired as standoff enters its 10th hour. Wendy Liberatore / Times Union Tear gas fired as standoff enters its 10th hour. Wendy Liberatore / Times Union Image 1 of / 9 Caption Close Police dealing with standoff in Halfmoon 1 / 9 Back to Gallery

Halfmoon

A man who barricaded himself in a home Sunday fired a shot at police and State Police used tear gas to attempt to end the standoff, State Police said.

Michael Davis, 39, arrived at 27E Sue Lane at 11 a.m. with a gun and making suicidal comments, State Police Capt. Robert Patnaude said. His girlfriend fled the home with her children and called police.

State Police and Saratoga County Sheriff officers surrounded the home in the Halfmoon Heights neighborhood. Some residents were evacuated and prevented from returning home during the afternoon and into the late evening.

One shot was fired at police about 8 p.m. and four shots were fired inside the home, Patnaude told reporters Sunday night. Police responded by firing about 30 canisters of tear gas at the home, but Davis remained inside as of press time Sunday at 11 p.m. He had smashed the windows of the home to release the smoke.

Patnaude said Davis was arrested 11 days ago for violating a restraining order.

Earlier in the day, some police officers had their weapons drawn in the area, and an armored police vehicle, as well as a K-9 unit, were on the scene.

Lurenda Tedrick, who lives two houses away from 27E Sue Lane, where police had surrounded the mobile home, said they couldn't go home when she arrived from church about noon Sunday.

"After we got back from that, this was going on," Tedrick said, motioning to the police caution tape that blocked Fern Lane, which intersects with Sue Lane in the mobile home park. Sue Lane is north of Clifton Park Golf and Driving Range on Route 9.

Police said Davis might have up to four guns in the home.

Patnaude said he would not send officers into the home and put their lives at risk.

Some residents of the mobile home park were allowed back home through a back entrance off of Route 9 if they didn't live close to the scene.

But others continued to look on as police negotiated with the man. Police set up food and shelter for families at CAPTAIN youth and family center nearby.

Early on Sunday, police could be heard negotiating with Davis on a loudspeaker.

"I can't help you unless you talk to me," was overheard. "This is nothing we can't work through. We worked it out the last time."

Police said negotiations were not going well.

Jana Mahoney, who lives in the mobile home community, said police were at the Sue Lane home about a week ago for similar reasons.

"He didn't get in trouble because he wasn't threatening," Mahoney said, citing domestic issues.

While Mahoney and her family could return home, the apparent standoff spoiled Easter plans for other neighbors. She said a group usually gets together for a cookout in the area where police had taped off.

"It's Easter," she said. "People can't enjoy their holiday because of this situation."

Six hours into the standoff, Tedrick was ready to go home. "I have to go to work tomorrow," she said. "I'd like to go home and relax."

Tedrick, who has lived at Halfmoon Heights for 22 years, as well as others said the neighborhood is typically quiet and friendly.

"Everybody knows everybody," she said. "We look out for each other."

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