Standoff on the I-190

I agree that lately we have become a sick society, taking pleasure in watching the pain & suffering of others but last night this standoff happened literally at the end of my street. How could I not walk down to watch? I'm glad no one got hurt but worry that tonight will be flat out boring with no SWAT teams, news camera and insane traffic jams. LOL Here's what Channel 2 had to say about it this morning, pitful if you ask me.

190 Standoff Ends; Florida Man Undergoing Psychiatric Evaluation

Posted by: Athan Kompos, Producer
Posted by: Marissa Bailey, Assignment Editor
Created: 5/12/2008 6:20:47 PM
Updated: 5/13/2008 3:17:24 AM
A standoff that closed the 190 in both directions from Amherst to Niagara Street in Buffalo for nearly three hours has ended with no one hurt. Shortly before 9:00pm, the SWAT team surrounded James Gilchriese's truck, pulled him out and placed him in custody.Officials say the 66-year-old, Vietnam veteran from Florida is a former Western New York Native. He was not hurt and was taken to a local hospital for a psychiatric evaluation. Officers pulled the truck over just after 6:00pm after another driver called 911 to report a couple fighting in the vehicle. That's when Gilchriese walked out of his vehicle and stood on the 190 with a loaded gun pointed at his head. His 50-year-old girlfriend was not hurt and was taken from the scene by police about a half hour after the incident began. Police officials say negotiations were tense and that Gilchriese appeared to have been drinking. The incident tied up traffic on the 190 and on boat traffic on the Niagara River for hours.

Channel 7 is a little more informative:

An armed Western New York native and Vietnam Veteran brought traffic to a stand-still on Interstate 190 on Monday evening before being taken into custody by the Buffalo Police SWAT team.James Gilchriese, 66, of Hernando, Florida, held a gun to his head with one hand and a cell phone in the other as he talked with police hostage negotiators.At times, the distraught man was seen walking around on the southbound lanes of the I-190. At other times, he sat on a guardrail and refused to talk with police.Gilchriese was threatened to kill himself. The standoff lasted nearly three hours.It all started just before 6 o'clock at the peak of rush hour. Gilchriese, who is in town visiting relatives, was seen driving his truck and arguing with a passenger, his girlfriend.Patricia S. Meckley, 50, also of Florida, managed to escape the vehicle after Gilchriese pulled over. State police found Gilchriese in the vehicle with a gun and immediately halted traffic in both directions on the busy expressway.The man was eventually apprehended when the Buffalo Police SWAT Team moved in and took Gilchriese into custody without incident.

Channel 4 has the best report:

Armed standoff on I-190 in Buffalo ends, suspect charged
Posted:
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May 12, 2008 06:28 PM EDT
Updated:
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May 13, 2008 08:26 AM EDT
Video On Demand

Armed standoff on I-190 in Buffalo ends, suspect charged

BUFFALO, N.Y. (WIVB) - We want to bring you the very latest on that tense police stand-off that had many glued to News 4 Monday night.
Officers from Buffalo, Erie County, and New York State Police agencies had their hands full. They had to divert rush-hour traffic. They had to keep spectators a safe distance away. And most of all, they had to prevent an armed standoff from turning tragic.
With a flash and a bang, law enforcers moved in and pulled 66-year-old James Gilchriese of Florida out of a pickup truck, three hours after police say he started an armed standoff.
Investigators believe the suspect had become involved in a violent argument.
During Monday night's live coverage, witness Tom Snyder said he saw the violent dispute unfold along the 190 in Niagara Falls.
Tom Snyder said, "...and I noticed that gold pickup with the Florida plates on the side of the road. And when I drove by it, I looked over and it appeared like the guy was punching the passenger."
Police identify that passenger as Gilchriese's girlfriend, 50-year-old Patricia Meckley.
The couple drove into Buffalo, where an officer pulled them over. Gilchriese allegedly pulled his gun, and the standoff began.
A short while later, Meckley was taken away safely by Buffalo Police Commissioner McCarthy Gipson and two other officers.
As darkness arrived, officers used a noise-flash diversionary device to help them capture Gilchriese without seriously harming him.
New York State Police Captain Michael Nigrelli said, "Yeah, we inconvenienced traffic on the south and the northbound 190 for a few hours. But you know what, it's a small price to pay to save someone's life."
Captain Nigrelli says alcohol was involved. Right now, Gilchriese is charged with DWI, but will face additional charges after police consult with the Erie County District Attorney's Office.
Story by Melissa Holmes, WIVB.