Hostage standoff in North Reading, Massachusetts ends in tragedy
{{date|December  1, 2005}}

In what appeared to be a hostage situation ended in tragedy this afternoon in the quiet [[Massachusetts]] town of {{w|North Reading, Massachusetts|North Reading}} when the body of a 72-year old man, Roaldas Baran, and his 65-year old wife, Zinaida Girdauskiene, were found dead in an apparent {{w|murder-suicide}} at 14 Country Club Road.

The situation began when a neighbor heard four gunshots and a woman screaming and called {{w|9-1-1}}. Police arrived at the home, and encountered the 72-year old man standing over, a brief conversation was held with the man who then went back inside the house. Then a fifth shot was fired. The {{w|SWAT}} team of the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council was brought in to clear the house and evacuate the surrounding houses. The {{w|Massachusetts State Police}} was also on hand.

{{w|Martha Coakley}}, the {{w|District Attorney}} for {{w|Middlesex County, Massachusetts|Middlesex County}}, reported on what was found upon the SWAT team entering the house. <blockquote>''"In the bedroom, lying, apparently a victim of several gunshot wounds, was a female. We know her to be approximately 65-years-old. In the kitchen on the floor, also apparently the victim of a suicide, was a male we know now to be approximately 72-years-old who was her husband."''</blockquote> Emily LaGrassa, Coxley's spokeperson said the man apparently shot the woman and turned the gun on himself. Two guns were recovered.

North Reading Police had been called to the house once before in August 2004. The North Reading police are currently investigating further.

{{haveyoursay}}
== Sources ==
*{{source|url=http://www1.whdh.com/news/articles/local/BOS10096/
|title=Police investigate apparent murder-suicide
|author=
|pub=Associated Press
|date=December 1, 2005}}
<!-- Hint: If you are citing BBC News, leave the author blank and put "BBC News" in the "pub" parameter. -->

*{{source|url=http://www.thebostonchannel.com/news/5446163/detail.html
|title=Two Dead In North Shore Shooting
|author=
|pub=WCVB-TV
|date=December 1, 2005}}

*{{source|url=http://cbs4boston.com/topstories/local_story_335155728.html
|title=Standoff Ends In Murder-Suicide In North Reading
|author=
|pub=WBZ-TV
|date=December 1, 2005}}

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[[Category:Crime and law]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:North America]]
[[Category:Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Suicide attacks]]
[[Category:Martha Coakley]]
In what appeared to be a hostage situation ended in tragedy this afternoon in the quiet Massachusetts town of North Reading when the body of a 72-year old man, Roaldas Baran, and his 65-year old wife, Zinaida Girdauskiene, were found dead in an apparent  at 14 Country Club Road.

The situation began when a neighbor heard four gunshots and a woman screaming and called SWAT team of the North Eastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council was brought in to clear the house and evacuate the surrounding houses. The  was also on hand.

District Attorney for Middlesex County, reported on what was found upon the SWAT team entering the house. "In the bedroom, lying, apparently a victim of several gunshot wounds, was a female. We know her to be approximately 65-years-old. In the kitchen on the floor, also apparently the victim of a suicide, was a male we know now to be approximately 72-years-old who was her husband." Emily LaGrassa, Coxley's spokeperson said the man apparently shot the woman and turned the gun on himself. Two guns were recovered.

North Reading Police had been called to the house once before in August 2004. The North Reading police are currently investigating further.


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Crime and law United States North America Massachusetts Suicide attacks Martha Coakley