Police standoff ends with man shot dead

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Three Wilmington Police officers are on administrative leave after a standoff overnight ended with a man’s death. The family dispute turned shoot-out happened at the Echo Farms Golf Community in Wilmington.

Police say around 8 p.m. Monday Richard Sachariat, Jr., 40, had an argument with his parents, who he lived with. A short time later officers arrived to the home on Dorchester Place. Sachariat barricaded himself inside the home and refused to talk to negotiators. Several hours later, around 2 a.m., Sachariat fired several shots at officers, who then fired back.

Police say Sachariat suffered from a mental illness, which they say played a role in the shooting.

The State Bureau of Investigation has been called in to investigate. The agency usually investigates shootings involving law enforcement officers. Wilmington Police are conducting a internal investigation. The New Hanover County District Attorney’s Office is also looking into what happened.