Man Found Dead After Home Barricade

Forty-nine-year-old George Sprague was found dead Saturday after a standoff with police began when explosions at a Salem, Massachusetts, home triggered the evacuation of neighbors and the deployment of a state police bomb squad.

SWAT teams set off a controlled explosion at a house in Salem, Massachusetts, Saturday morning, before a man was found dead inside in an apparent suicide.

A neighbor's cell phone video shows the tense scene - there was a massive law enforcement presence outside 13 Meadow Street for hours as neighbors were evacuated.

Police swarmed the neighborhood after a man inside started throwing explosives outside around 7:30 a.m.

The first-floor windows were shattered as a result.

Officials identified the man as 49-year-old George Sprague, calling his death an apparent suicide.

"Honestly, I was scared," said next-door neighbor Fred Shambaugh. "I didn't know what it was."

Shambaugh ran out to try and help the others who lived in Sprague's house.

"Tried to make entry through one of the windows that was blown out, just to make sure everyone inside was alright," he said.

Police set off four controlled explosions to try and get into the house after spending several hours trying to communicate with Sprague.

They were concerned he was armed with a high-powered rifle.

Once police finally made their way in, they found the man dead inside.

"No shots were fired by police, but the rest is under investigation," said Salem Police Chief Paul Tucker.

Neighbors heard Sprague was in the process of being evicted.

"Honestly, I've maybe seen him leave the house in a total of five times over the past 10 years," said Shambaugh.

Police are still trying to figure out his motive.

No other people were injured.

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