Man triggers 4-hour standoff

GROTON TWP. — A four-hour standoff ended peacefully today when police arrested a Groton Township man who allegedly threatened to engage officers in a shootout. Nicholas White, 24, of the 8300 block of Portland Road, was charged with inducing panic and possession of weapons while intoxicated, both misdemeanors.Erie County sheriff's deputies were called to the 8300 block of Portland Road just before 12:30 p.m. for a report of a man threatening suicide by cop, according to Erie County sheriff's office Chief Deputy Jared Oliver.The standoff occurred at this building, 8307 Portland Road. White apparently texted someone and said he was suicidal and wanted to have a "shootout" with police, Oliver said. The person who received that text notified police.Law enforcement attempted to communicate with White by telephone, but he did not answer calls, Oliver said. Armed deputies and a special response team staged outside the Portland Road home as Ohio State Highway Patrol troopers closed sections of Portland and Magill roads, Oliver said. Ambulances from North Central EMS and the Groton Township Fire Department also stood by. Police called for additional medical personnel because White indicated he was going to overdose on pills, according to Erie County Sheriff Paul Sigsworth.Police negotiators used a loudspeaker to talk with White, but he did not communicate with deputies, according to Sigsworth. At about 4 p.m., White walked out of the back of the home and was taken into custody without incident, Oliver said. Inside a bedroom police found a loaded AR-15 style rifle and a semi-automatic handgun, Oliver said, which were both allegedly in White's possession during the standoff. Nobody else was inside the home."We're glad the situation worked out the way it did," Sigsworth said. White was allegedly intoxicated and had minor self-inflicted injuries when he was arrested, Sigsworth said. EMTs took him to Firelands Regional Medical Center for treatment. Sigsworth praised the "collaborative effort" between law enforcement agencies and emergency medical personnel during the standoff. More Erie County Sheriff's Office articles Reach reporter Brandon Addeo at brandonaddeo@sanduskyregister.com, follow him on Twitter @BrandonAddeo and follow the Register at Facebook.com/SanduskyRegister4:11 p.m. updateGROTON TWP. — Portland Road at Magill Road in Groton Township has reopened. 4:07 p.m. updateGROTON TWP. — Deputies arrested a man after an apparent standoff. Check back for more as information is confirmed by law enforcement. Original postPortland Road at Magill Road in Groton Township is closed as police respond to a call in the area involving a suicidal individual, according to Erie County sheriff's office Chief Deputy Jared Oliver. Check back for updates.An Erie County sheriff's office cruiser sits in a driveway adjacent to 8307 Portland Road (white building) where the standoff occurred.White, Nicholas