Monday Standoff in Maine Ends in Shots Fired, Man Jumping Out Window in Underwear, Suspect in Custody

A suspect is in custody following an hours-long standoff that unfolded in the town of Anson, Maine on Monday afternoon, according to the Kennebec Journal.

The newspaper is reporting that police originally received a call for service at around one o'clock in the afternoon. Reports indicated that a man had been discharging a firearm inside a residence on Union Street in Anson before allegedly jumping out the second story window in his underwear.

When police arrived on scene to investigate what was happening at the Anson residence, the man became agitated and discharged the firearm again in the presence of police.

Deputy Mike Mitchell of the Somerset County Sheriff’s Office, told the Kennebec Journal that the suspect had gone back into the house and fired rounds off in the direction of authorities. That's when the Somerset Sheriff's Office called for backup on the scene. Responding agencies included the Maine Warden Service, Maine State Police, Skowhegan Police Department and the Fairfield Police Department.

Police were unsure if anyone was in the residence with the suspect so officials treated the standoff like a hostage situation. They stayed in contact with the suspect and attempted to get him to surrender and put his weapon down. Deputy Mitchell told reporters that the suspect fired at least 10 shots during the standoff, some of which were in the direction of officers.

As the standoff was ongoing on Monday afternoon, police chose to close some nearby roads as well as having some residents close to the scene in North Anson 'shelter in place'.

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Finally, after nearly two hours since the initial call had come in, police were able to talk the suspect into surrendering and putting down the gun. It was at that time police were able to take Paul Caplin, 44, of Anson into custody. However, before taking Caplin to jail, police opted to take him to a nearby hospital for a physical evaluation. It was confirmed that Caplin had broken his ankle when he jumped out the second story window.

Police were able to speak with some of the suspect's family following the incident. It was explained to police that Caplin may have been suffering a mental health crisis and also may have been taking medication that was not prescribed to him.

The KJ is reporting that police were able to take possession of several rifles, shotguns, handguns and crossbows that they found inside of Caplin’s residence.