Cops: W. Philly man threatened cops during barricade

A spat with his mother allegedly lead a West Philly man to lock himself inside the home they share while threatening to shoot police officers with an assault rifle.

Robert Thompson, 38, was taken into custody early Tuesday after a two-hour standoff with SWAT officers and other police personnel at his home on Melon Street near 47th in the Mill Creek section of West Philly. He has been charged with aggravated assault, simple assault, terroristic threats against officers and related offenses, according to Lt. John Walker of Southwest Detectives.

The ordeal started about 6 a.m., when Thompson and his mother got into an argument, Walker said. In the heat of the conflict, Thompson allegedly hit his mother in the leg with a chair, causing her to cry out in pain.

Neighbors heard her screams and called police, Walker said. When the officers arrived, Thompson leaned out of the home's window and screamed "You better get off my property, or I'll kill you," while claiming to have an AK-47 stashed inside.

Police declared a barricade situation and evacuated the homes across from Thompson's, Walker said. The nearby Middle Years Alternative School, on Fairmount Avenue near 47th was locked down during the incident as well, according to a police spokeswoman.

About 8 a.m., Thompson surrendered without any injury to himself, his mother or the officers, Walker said. No weapons were found inside the home during a subsequent search.