An ambulance, escorted by a Massachusetts State Police cruiser, rushed from the scene at approximately 7:32 p.m. Watch video
» An updated story has been posted
Updates stories posted Wednesday at 10:53 a.m. and 1:52 p.m.
LUDLOW — A daylong standoff with an armed suspect that began after firefighters responded to a blaze at a Center Street residence ended with multiple gunshots early Wednesday night.
An ambulance, escorted by a Massachusetts State Police cruiser, rushed from the scene at approximately 7:32 p.m.
Just after 7 p.m., food and water was brought into the woods where police were negotiating with the suspect, identified to The Republican by police sources as retired Springfield police officer George Stuart, 71. Soon after that, a throng of press was pushed back, and an ambulance arrived. Suddenly, there was the sound of multiple gunshots, and all police personnel ran into the woods. The ambulance went into the woods, about 100 yards behind the house.
The fire, reported around 10:45 a.m., "fully engulfed" a building at the property, a town dispatcher said. The standoff situation began shortly thereafter. Reporters at the scene say the fire consumed a garage at 795 Center St.
The home at that address is owned by George W. and Rena J. Stuart, an employee at the Ludlow assessor's office said Wednesday.
Stuart once taught marksmanship to other officers. Police officials could not immediately confirm that Stuart was the suspect involved in the standoff.
Stuart, who spent 30 years on the Springfield force, retired in 1997 as a sergeant. Twice he won competitions as the state's top combat police marksman of the year. He runs a security alarm installation business at his Ludlow home.
During the standoff, Center Street was closed at the Rood Street junction, at Randall's Farm. Wilbraham police were assisting with traffic control. A state police helicopter was in the air overhead.
State police units – including K-9 and tactical units – were staging on Center Street and nearby Fox Hill Road Wednesday afternoon. A tactical unit from the Springfield police department was also at the scene.
This is a developing story; MassLive.com and The Republican will have updated stories as our reporting continues.