By: Richard L. Smith
A tense, hours-long standoff in a Union County neighborhood ended early Sunday morning after SWAT teams and multiple law enforcement agencies surrounded a home where an armed man had barricaded himself. 
According to preliminary information, the incident began around 2:30 p.m. Saturday when Mountainside Police were called to a residence in the 300 block of Bridle Avenue for what was believed to be a domestic violence situation.
When officers arrived, they learned that an armed individual was inside the home.
It was initially unclear whether the suspect was holding anyone hostage. Police made repeated attempts to convince the man to surrender, but those efforts were met with resistance.
At some point during the standoff, the suspect reportedly fired shots toward officers, prompting authorities to lock down the surrounding area.
Nearby homes were evacuated, and residents were instructed to shelter in place. New Providence Road was also shut down as a precaution.
The standoff continued into the early morning hours, shortly before 1:30 a.m. Sunday, the situation came to an end when the suspect was taken into custody and transported to University Hospital in Newark.
It remains unclear whether police used force to apprehend him.
Officials have not released details on the suspect’s condition or the nature of his injuries. No officers were injured during the incident.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office and Mountainside Police are investigating the circumstances surrounding the standoff.