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Groton — City Police Chief Mike Spellman said one person died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound Sunday night as local and state police surrounded the Peppertree apartments on Crouch Street, where a despondent subject was thought to be barricaded inside.

Police were called to the scene about 6 p.m. for a report of despondent individual, and upon arrival Spellman said they heard gunshots. Spellman said the shots were not fired at police.

Local and state police then surrounded the apartment and evacuated people from adjacent units. About 9 p.m. they also began broadcasting messages to the person inside. Just before 10 p.m. Spellman said the person had died of a self-inflicted gunshot. He said police were also working to bring residents back to their apartments.

Police had blocked off the entrance to the apartments Sunday night, and state police troopers were staging in the rear lot of the nearby Outer Light Brewing Co. on Bridge Street. Ambulances were also staging on Crouch Street.

Police remained on the scene late Sunday night as they continued to investigate.