(ELKHART COUNTY) – A man is in custody following a standoff that lasted over 18 hours in Northern Indiana.

On July 6, officers with the Elkhart County Sheriff’s Office responded to a residence in the 57,000 block of Pendleton Drive to conduct a welfare check on a man and his two children. Deputies arrived at the residence at 9:06 PM, but were not able to contact the man. They learned the man was at the house, and was armed and threatened to harm his children and law enforcement.

The Elkhart County Regional SWAT Team responded at approximately 12:09 AM on July 7 to secure the scene and attempt to contact the man, but he refused to exit the home and discharged a firearm before barricading himself in the house. This incident continued into the day, and the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team was requested to assist the Elkhart County Regional Swat Team.

Many attempts were made throughout the morning and into the afternoon hours to contact the man, but with little success. At approximately 3:30 PM, the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team made entry into the home and took the man, 37 year old Ryan Snyder, into custody. A two year old boy was found dead in the home. A four year old girl was also located. She was treated at the scene and released to a relative.

Snyder was taken to a local hospital to be checked out and then lodged in the Elkhart County Jail. The matter is still being investigate. The Elkhart County Prosecutor’s Office will review this case and determine charges against Snyder.