Neighbors heard screams Tuesday morning and called police to their West Philly street, where a man told officers he had an AK-47 and he would shoot anyone who approached his home, police said.
After an approximately 2-hour standoff involving SWAT team members on the 4700 block of Melon Street, just south of Fairmount Avenue, officers were able to place the suspect under arrest around 8:15 a.m.
Family members identified the alleged gunman as 38-year-old Robert Thompson.
"He's going through a lot of problems right now," said Kenneth Thompson, the man's brother.
Robert allegedly held his mother, who is in her 50s and has some undisclosed medical issues, and his grandmother, who is in her 80s and legally blind, inside the home. However, it is unclear if the man actually had a gun, or just claimed to have a weapon.
"He would never hurt my mom and grandma," added Kenneth, who was not at home when the standoff transpired. "He is a good person."
Kenneth said both women are okay.
A neighbor told NBC10 Robert cared for his disabled mom and blind grandmom and the burden may have become too much for the 38-year-old man.
"What you saw out here was a cry for help," said Don McCray, who lives nearby. "He's a generally nice guy. Just going through a lot of different things."
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Authorities set up a staging area at the Middle Years Alternative School, located at 4725 Fairmount Ave., while they secured the area. At first, officials permitted children to enter the school and said they had to remain inside, but just before 8 a.m. police announced the school would evacuate. Once the standoff was resolved, school resumed normal operations.
Police initially said the man was holding his girlfriend hostage, but later said only his mom and grandmom were inside the home with him.
