CANAL FULTON A man in an apartment at Waterside Avenue on Saturday evening killed himself after an hours-long standoff in which he shot at police and Sgt. Josh Barabasch was struck in the foot by a projectile from the shotgun blast during a welfare check, Police Chief Douglas Swartz said.

Swartz, as of 9:45 p.m Saturday. was still trying to establish what had happened. He said the police officer, whom he declined to identify, was taken to a hospital where he was in stable condition and expected to be released from the hospital soon and to even be able to return to work soon. Swartz did not release the name of the dead man.

A Stark County coroner's investigator arrived at the scene around 9:45 p.m. The coroner's office does not release the name of the deceased until next of kin have been notified.

Swartz said around 6:15 p.m., police officers from his department went to do a welfare check at the home. A man in the apartment responded by firing a gun shot, which may have ricocheted into an officer's foot. He barricaded himself in the apartment.

Canal Fulton police — backed up by police officers from Massillon, Canton and Lawrence Township along with the Stark County SWAT team co-op — then established positions around the apartment.

“(Suspect's name) answer your phone or call your sister,” an officer shouted into a bullhorn. “You cannot do this."

“Come to your back door. We have your place surrounded. Call you sister or answer your phone.”

Officers entered the apartment just after 8:46 p.m. searching for the suspect. He was found dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, said Swartz. No one else besides the police officer and the man was hurt.

If you or someone you know is in need of crisis help, contact:

Stark County Crisis Hotline anytime at (330)452-6000

National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK (8255)

CRISIS Text Line Text “4HOPE” to 741741