Man barricades self in Mamaroneck home with ax

A man is undergoing psychiatric treatment after police stormed his Mamaroneck home to end a standoff Saturday.Police were called to the Grand Avenue home, where they said the emotionally disturbed man

News 12 Staff

Nov 20, 2007, 1:27 AM

Updated 6,012 days ago

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Man barricades self in Mamaroneck home with ax
A man is undergoing psychiatric treatment after police stormed his Mamaroneck home to end a standoff Saturday.Police were called to the Grand Avenue home, where they said the emotionally disturbed man had barricaded himself in his basement apartment. The suspect threatened to kill himself, neighbors and police officers.
According to authorities, 34-year-old Michael Laise put an ax through the wall where a negotiator was standing on the other side. Neighbors claim police then threw something inside the home that made a loud noise and caused a bright light.
SWAT team members rushed in and used a Taser gun to get Laise under control before putting him in handcuffs.
"He had written on the walls and on the floor, 'Murdered by Mamaroneck cops,'" said Lt. James Gaffney. "It appears he was preparing for a suicide-by-police-officer."
In April, the SWAT team also responded to the home for a similar call. However, Laise surrendered in that incident.
Neighbors describe him as a quiet man who loves to fish and do odd jobs. Some believe they may be safer with Laise, who is not facing any charges in the latest incident, behind bars.
"He has this mental problem where he thinks that people are spying on him and trying to poison him and stuff like that," said resident Johnny Girardo.
Laise is currently receiving psychiatric care at Mount Vernon Hospital.


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