Standoff ends after man shoots self

NORTON SHORES, Mich. (WOOD) - A Norton Shores standoff ended Tuesday afternoon after the suspect shot himself in the head.

Authorities were first called to the area of Lake Harbor and Mount Garfield road around 9:50 a.m. Tuesday by family members of 51-year-old Charles Byer, according to police. Family members were concerned for Byer's safety.

Byer, who is on probation, had not appeared for scheduled appointments and was wanted on a probation violation detainer.

Upon the arrival of police at the residence, Byer appeared with a handgun in his front yard, according to the Norton Shores Police Department.

He refused to drop the weapon. Instead, he sat down near a neighbor's shed. The scene was quickly secured because he was still armed.

Several SWAT teams were called to the scene and three nearby homes were evacuated. Police had several streets blocked as they tried to negotiate with Byer for hours.

Negotiators were talking to Byer when he fired the gunshot just before 3 p.m.

Byer was taken to Hackley Hospital where he is in intensive care.