Police release name of suspect;more information on standoff situation in Easton

"There were police vehicles and they had their lights on. There was a lot more activity and more and more vehicles started to come in," said Ashely Home Furniture Store in Easton employee Nancy Lutes.

Panic broke out in the Wayland neighborhood after police say a man,now identified as 57-year-old Robert Neu who also lived in the area, shot at construction workers who were working on a nearby townhouse. Residents say they're shocked by their neighbor's actions.

"The area isn't known for this type of activity, so it surprised me," said Lutes.

Officials say the call came in around 12:30 PM after Neu came out of his home and punctured one of the workers' car tires. The victim was about to confront Neu when he pulled out a semi-automatic handgun and fired three rounds. Investigators say the victim was lucky to avoid injury and they also say that they made their way to Neu's home on June Way shortly after.That led to a lockdown of the neighborhood and surrounding areas. 

"We noticed that police officers both came out with bulletproof vests on, of course they were armed and they were outside talking and eventually later we noticed more vehicles pulled up. They asked that we stay in the building and not go out to our cars," said Lutes.

The Easton police department's crisis negotiation team arrived on the scene along with the departments SWAT team, Talbot County Sheriff’s Office, Maryland State Police and Maryland Department of Natural Resource Police, and the Queen Anne’s County Sheriff’s Office SWAT members.

"Several attempts were made to make communications with the suspect, but none were very successful," said Easton Police Department Captain Gregory Wright.

After no response from Neu for about three hours, officials were able to finally get  inside his home and arrested him without further incident. Neu was taken to the University of Maryland Shore Medical Center for further treatment. Police say that no officers or any members of the community were injured. They also thanked residents for their patience.  

Investigators say that charges have been obtained against Neu and they will be served once he's released from the hospital. Wright adds that says Neu could face charges of assault in the first degree and attempted murder.
 

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