Iraq war veteran holds hostage, wants treatment [View All]

[rhino47]

http://www.kansas.com/197/story/46646.html

ERINGTON, Kan. - A veteran of the Iraq war who held his family hostage and wore military armor during a standoff with police surrendered only after being assured he would receive help for post-traumatic stress disorder, police said.

The 33-year-old Fort Riley soldier, whose name was not released because he had not been charged, locked himself and his family inside his Herington home Sunday night. He released his family shortly after the incident began but surrendered only after talking to a Herington police officer who had befriended him, police Chief John Pritchard said.

Pritchard said Tuesday that the man would undergo psychiatric evaluation at Fort Riley before the Dickinson County attorney will decide what, if any, charges will be filed.

"Our first concern was to get help for the family and him," Pritchard said. "At the same time, we're finishing our investigation so the county attorney can determine how to proceed."