New information has been released by the Elmira Police Department regarding a standoff with police on the city’s east side on Friday.
According to police, what started as a loud music complaint at an upstairs apartment at 1401 Lake St. turned into an hours-long standoff.
Police say they arrived at the apartment around 4:30 p.m. and were met with a disturbance at the upstairs apartment. They say they were advised that numerous people inside the apartment had active warrants out for their arrest.
After hearing the word of possible weapons being inside, police backed off and set up a perimeter.
Police say that at one point, information was given to them that the female tenant of the upstairs apartment was being held against her will with her two young children. They say that after about one hour, the female and children came out of the apartment, and after being interviewed, told police that there were still two individuals upstairs.
Police say they requested the Elmira Police Department Crisis Negotiation Team, and upon arrival, began attempts to communicate with those still inside the building. Soon after, EPD SWAT Team was requested as well and responded to the scene.
Following the arrival of those units, two females had left the building from two lower apartments, with one stating she was being held against her will by a wanted NYS Parolee who was still inside her apartment.
Police say that members of the SWAT team were able to clear the lower apartment and take the wanted parolee into custody as well as a second male in the apartment who was combative with police.
Police were able to clear the bottom apartments before moving to the upstairs one. During the search of the upstairs apartment, one of the wanted persons was located in the attic, with no one else being found inside.
Police say that the incident remains under investigation and further information will be provided at a later time. They say that there are no active threats in the area and that anyone with information on the incident can call the EPD at 607-737-5626 or 607-271-HALT.
A previous version of this article included misleading photos that made it seem as if a large green house on Diven Avenue was the focus of the police activity, those photos have been removed. To clarify, the pink house on the corner of Diven Avenue and Lake Street was the house involved, that information has been corrected with photos properly showing the correct house.
ELMIRA, N.Y. (WETM) – There was a large police presence on Elmira’s east side Friday evening, with witnesses describing a standoff at a house.
Reports of the police presence involving several departments near the intersection of Lake Street and Diven Avenue first came into 18 News around 5:30 p.m. on February 17, 2023. Witnesses and a reporter on the scene described a standoff situation. The reporter said police were seen shining lights on the house at the corner and were heard calling into the house through a speaker.
One caller described seeing several law enforcement vehicles on the scene. According to the reporter, New York State Police, Elmira Police, West Elmira Police and the Chemung County Sheriff’s Office were all present, as well as a SWAT team.
Details are extremely limited. Check back for updates as more information becomes available from police.
