Everett Standoff Suspect Arraigned
EVERETT (CBS/AP) -- A man who police say engaged them in a four-hour standoff on Christmas Day was arraigned in Malden District Court Monday.
Mark Lavoine, 53, of Everett, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon, discharging a firearm within 500 feet of a building, and disorderly conduct. He was ordered held pending a dangerousness hearing.
Police stood outside the Summer Street home Christmas Day, asking Lavoine to come out peacefully, for about five hours. They say Lavoine barricaded himself inside a room after they responded to reports of shots fired at the house. Lavoine refused to speak with officers, comply with an order to show his hands, or exit the home. He also threatened to harm officers, according to Middlesex District Attorney Marian Ryan.
"In this case the defendant allegedly threatened the officers on scene and refused to comply with their requests," said Ryan. "This was a dangerous situation that thankfully ended without anyone getting hurt."
Lavoine came out after officers shot canisters of pepper spray into the home. Police made a quick arrest, and found three handguns on him. Investigators do not believe Lavoine fired on them.
"He came out they took him into custody," said Everett Police Chief Steven Mazzie. "He did not come out and just surrender. He was arguing with officers and resisting when he came."
But as Lavoine walked into the street, flames erupted from the home behind him.
"He came out with his hands up," says one neighbor. "And right when he came out, you hear a big boom and then the house just started going (up) in flames."
"As he came to the front door, officers observed flames coming from the home," said Mazzie. "He came out onto the front porch, (and) the fire was already going at that point."
Neighbors told WBZ-TV that stress at home during the holidays may have caused Lavoine to snap.
Nobody was seriously hurt throughout the incident.
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