Updated at 4:50 p.m.
Utopia Parkway in Whitestone was blocked off Thursday afternoon as police and emergency personnel responded to a call of a hostage situation inside a residence.
According to sources on the scene, the unidentified suspect— who is reportedly 18 years old and used to work at a nearby Rite Aid pharmacy— barricaded himself in a home at the Clearview Gardens Co-op on Utopia Parkway and 17th avenue.
The situation caused two nearby schools to go into lockdown, and a NYPD strategic response team responded to the scene.
According to information obtained by The Courier, the suspect was taken into custody at about 3:24 p.m. Police said he will not be charged, and will instead be receiving emotional help from the proper authorities.
Sources told The Courier the teen had his mother with him inside the home, but that the woman had already been removed from the location before the teen was apprehended.
Police said that the teen was holding a BB gun and was also taken away earlier this week in another incident.
ALERT Utopia Pkwy between 16 Rd & 19 Ave is closed due to an investigation. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/v6bmuAEqJY
— NYPD 109th Precinct (@NYPD109Pct) November 12, 2015
Stay tuned on QNS.com for more information on this developing story.
