On Dec. 27, 2011 at 5:23 p.m., the Cherry Hill Police Department responded to a residence in the unit block of Massachusetts Avenue, for a report of a despondent man acting irrationally, armed with a handgun and barricaded in a bedroom.
Arriving officers confirmed this information was accurate and requested, a response from the Cherry Hill Police Tactical Response Team and Critical Incident Negotiating Team. Members of these highly specialized teams arrived and assumed responsibility of the incident. During this encounter, neighboring homes were evacuated as a precautionary measure. After several hours of unsuccessful negotiations, forced entry was made and the man was removed.
He was transported to Kennedy Hospital Cherry Hill Division for treatment and crisis evaluation.
The scene was turned over to detectives and crime scene personnel for follow-up investigation. Four weapons and a safe, possibly containing a fifth weapon were secured by police.
The man was identified as the homeowner, Russell A. Smith, 70.
Smith was charged with disorderly conduct and resisting arrest and released on a summons with a court appearance scheduled for 8:30 a.m., Jan. 11 in the Cherry Hill Municipal Court.
