Tarentum man arrested after standoff with police

A 28-year-old Tarentum man is accused of firing a gun in his backyard after an argument with his roommate.

When police responded to reports about the gunshots about 2:20 p.m. Thursday, it started a standoff that lasted about three hours until Matthew Jones was arrested.

Jones was charged with obstruction, disorderly conduct and reckless endangerment.

He was taken into custody about 5:30 p.m. when officers made their way inside the rented home in the 600 block of East Eighth Avenue.

Neighbors told TribLive they heard six gunshots.

“This is the first that I’ve ever seen anything like this happening here,” Chuck Balog said. “I hope it ends peacefully.”

Nancy Wolfe, who has lived in the neighborhood for 50 years, said it is generally a quiet area.

“This usually doesn’t happen,” Wolfe said.

Jessica Zafia moved to the street in April and got an alert of an active shooter near her child’s day care.

Zafia said she got to the area about 3 p.m. but was unable to get to her home because it was inside the perimeter set up by police.

Zafia said she knew Jones only by sight.

“No one really comes out of the house,” she said.

Like others, she said it was unusual for the neighborhood.

“I’m glad it’s an isolated situation,” she said.

Allegheny County police said Jones is accused of firing a gun in his backyard following an argument with his roommate.

Police initially found Jones on the back porch, but he went inside the home and police heard him racking a gun twice from outside, they wrote in court papers.

Tarentum police Chief William Vakulick talked with Jones on the phone to negotiate with him, but Jones hung up, according to court papers.

The neighborhood was blocked off with police tape as authorities from several departments, including Allegheny County police, responded. Snipers could be seen outside the home with guns aimed toward the home.

“Matthew, come outside with nothing in your hands. And we can get through this,” police said on a speaker. “Matt, we know you’re scared.”