Police plead with barricaded man to come out of North Providence home

NORTH PROVIDENCE, R.I. (WLNE) — A standoff in North Providence has continued into Thursday morning, where police said a man barricaded himself and a woman in a home.

Just before 3 p.m. Wednesday, North Providence police responded to Stephanie Drive after shots were fired outside of the home.

Police Chief Alfredo Ruggerio said a man, 55, barricaded himself with an AR-15.

The suspects name wasn’t immediately released, but he is familiar with police, according to Ruggerio.

The chief added that the man’s wife, 52, was inside the home and that didn’t want to leave.

After more than 15 hours, the suspect has still refused to come out of the home.

Ruggerio said police lost contact with the man and woman around 4:30 a.m., and have not been able to re-establish contact since then.

The chief said they are concerned for the woman’s safety after she made a Facebook post that read “help” in the middle of the night.

ABC 6 News crews at the scene heard police negotiating with the suspect over a loud speaker, telling him to “come out of the house” and “let’s end this thing.”

Rhode Island State Police and SWAT teams have since arrived to the home.

The man made several demands while police were in communication overnight, according to Ruggerio.

Police gave the man a pizza and three hotdogs, after he said they would come out if given food. After still not coming out, police cut off power and cell service in the home.

A shelter in place was issued for about 11 homes in the neighborhood. It was lifted just before 8:30 a.m. Thursday.