CANDIA, NH – A Candia woman surrendered peacefully after a three-hour stand-off with state police Tuesday, barricaded inside her home while despondent and holding a handgun, her 12-year-old daughter with her and unable to leave.
On Oct, 18 at approximately 8:20 a.m. Candia Police Sgt. Scott Gallagher was dispatched to 584 North Road for a report of a despondent woman. Deborah Deslongchamps, 45, was reportedly inside the family home and refusing to come out, according to her husband, who spoke with the police officer on the front lawn.
While Sgt. Gallagher was assessing the situation, a single gunshot was heard inside the residence. Surrounding police agencies from Auburn, Deerfield and State Police Troop-A and Troop-B responded to assist while negotiations began via cell phone with Deslonchamps. A perimeter was quickly established and the roadway was cordoned off in the immediate area to protect the public.
Within the first hour the 12-year-old daughter was able to escape by exiting out a side door of the residence, running toward a Trooper. Simultaneously, a second gunshot was heard from within the residence. Shortly thereafter, Deslongchamps came to the side door with a handgun in hand. A Trooper gave her verbal commands to drop the gun and exit the residence. Deslongchamps dropped the handgun however she then walked back inside the residence.
The State Police SWAT team and crises negotiation team were called to the scene and the perimeter was reinforced by SWAT team members while members of the Crises Negotiation Unit communicated with Deslongchamps via her cell phone.
At approximately 11:30 a.m. Deslongchamps exited the residence on her own while maintaining communication with a crises negotiation team member, resulting in her being taken into custody by perimeter SWAT team members without incident.
Deslongchamps is facing several charges to include reckless conduct and false imprisonment, both felonies, and endangering the welfare of a child, a misdemeanor. Deslongchamps is currently being held without bail. She is also receiving a mental health evaluation. She is expected to be held at the Rockingham County Jail where she will be video arraigned Oct. 19 at the 10th Circuit Court, Candia District.
The Candia Police Department was assisted by the Auburn and Deerfield Police Departments, the New Hampshire State Police and the Candia Fire Department.
