Dartmouth standoff, shot fired, leads to arrest Wednesday

DARTMOUTH, MA – On Tuesday, July 24 at approximately 8:49 p.m., officers from the Dartmouth Police Department responded to #511 Old Fall River Road regarding a disturbance.

Upon arrival, police were advised by family members that a male suspect had possibly fled the scene with a firearm, and was now in the woods behind the residence.

Due to the potential volatility of the alleged armed suspect, police secured the area and requested the assistance of the Southeastern Massachusetts Law Enforcement Council (SEMLEC) SWAT team.

Upon the arrival of the SWAT team, it was learned that the suspect had reentered the residence at some point and was now barricaded inside. In light of this, a police negotiator was requested, and responded.

At approximately 4:15 a.m., the male suspect exited the residence and fired a shot into the air from the back deck.

At approximately 4:50 a.m., the male suspect exited the residence, and was taken into custody without further incident.

Subsequent to his arrest, the male suspect was transported to St. Luke’s Hospital in New Bedford to be evaluated.

As a result of the incident, David Lechhan, 63, of #511 Old Fall River Road, Dartmouth, Massachusetts was charged with assault and battery, intimidation of a witness, threats to commit a crime, and discharging a firearm within 500’ of a building.