Syracuse police arrested a suicidal man early today after a four-hour standoff in which the suspect fired bullets into two homes and a police cruiser.

The man's friends called police at about 10 p.m. Friday after they went to check in on him and he answered the door with a .22-caliber pistol, said Syracuse Police Lt. Tracy Jensen.

The friends, who told police the man had been having personal problems, became worried when he did not let them in his house on the 800 South block of 3880 West. The friends called 911 after hearing several shots fired in the house, Jensen said.

When police arrived, the man began taunting officers, Jensen said. He locked himself in his house, but came out periodically and waved his gun at police, Jensen said.

"He kept telling us on the phone that he was going out in a blaze of glory, that we would have to shoot him," Jensen said.

SWAT officers canvassed the neighborhood to advise people to stay in their homes until the incident was resolved, Jensen said.

"We did go door to door and told them if they didn't want to leave, they had to stay in a particular area of the home. They were told to bunker down," he said.

Throughout the standoff, the man fired several rounds outside, Jensen said. One bullet hit a patrol car and caused about $100 in damage. At least two separate homes reported damaged caused by bullet holes from the man's gun, Jensen said.

The man surrendered peacefully after four hours and was taken into custody at about 2 a.m. today.

He was transported to McKay-Dee Hospital in Ogden where he underwent a mental evaluation, Jensen said.

The case will be screened by Davis County prosecutors for possible charges, he said.

Melinda Rogers