Heartbroken man whose parents called police over suicide fears kills himself after Swat team besieges home

His father called the suicide 'totally preventable' if police had not overreacted

SWAT team members enter a residential building in Watertown, Massachusetts. A similar type of police team showed up at the Reeves' home on 15 July 2017. (Mario Tama/Getty Images)

A man's ex-girlfriend called the police when she feared he would kill himself in his locked room, but a Swat team showed up resulting in a ten-hour standoff and their son's suicide.

Russell Reeves told The Boston Globe his son Austin's death was "totally preventable".

The younger Mr Reeves, 26, had just experienced a break up with his girlfriend and had moved out of their shared home to his parents' house in Hingham, Massachusetts.

He had been working a few jobs and friends said he was his usual "charming and funny and outgoing" self the day he killed himself.

Mr Reeves said Austin had returned home after working for an event planner at a party, distressed after a phone call with his ex-girlfriend. Fearing the worst, she called the police to check on him at his parents' home.

Mr Reeves checked his gun collection, all locked up. However, before he could check on his son's 9mm handgun, Austin came home, distressed over the phone call and the police being notified.

He said to his father: “Don’t back me into a corner..because I’ll make it go away in four seconds.” His parents rang up local police as well after Austin locked himself, with his gun, in his bedroom.

His mother Kate Harrison is from a family of police officers and felt confident they could help, but Mr Reeves warned them not to pressure Austin too much.

At first two officers answered the call, but the situation quickly escalated as they said Austin threatened to hurt anyone, including police, who approached the upstairs of his parents home in an attempt to get to him.

More and more officers showed up, including a fully armoured SWAT team. A military-style vehicle was parked on the yard and seven windows were broken to place a camera inside to look for Austin.

Austin did not have any hostages and Mr Reeves repeatedly begged police to back down.

What resulted was all night standoff, lasting nearly ten hours, and Austen's body being found in the early morning hours after having shot himself.

Canton Police Chief Ken Berkowitz, president of the regional law enforcement council did not comment on the incident to the Boston Globe, but did say that in these situations a team of specilised crisis negotiators and investigators respond to the scene.

A mental health professional will serve as a consultant but does not respond with the rest of the crisis team for some reason.

His parents are still left wondering how a simple check on their son's well being turned into a siege on their home and his death.