DA: Incident Involving Firearm in Upper Saucon Ends with Suicide

An incident in Upper Saucon Township involving a person with a firearm ended with the person’s suicide early Thursday morning, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s office has announced.

According to a news release, Upper Saucon Township Police initially responded to the 4800 block of West Hopewell Road for a 12:48 a.m. 911 call in which it was reported that someone was breaking into a home and gunshots were heard.

“Upon arrival, officers encountered a subject outside of a home armed with a firearm,” the release said. “After negotiating with the subject for over 30 minutes, the subject shot themself.”

The individual was rushed to a hospital, but was pronounced dead upon arrival, the DA’s office said.

The individual was not identified in the news release.

“The investigation at this point indicates that there is no additional danger to the public, as this appears to be an isolated incident,” the release said. “The investigation is ongoing and more information will be released when it becomes available.”

The incident remains under investigation by the Upper Saucon Township Police Department, the Lehigh County District Attorney’s Office and the Pennsylvania State Police Forensic Services Unit.