PERRY’S MILLS — A man who assaulted a woman then held her against her will in a cornfield Sunday ended a standoff with police by killing himself.
Thomas Seymour, 37, of Champlain went to the home of former girlfriend Mindy Powers, 29, at 6 Milky Way in the Town of Champlain hamlet of Perry’s Mills on Sunday evening, and a domestic dispute ensued, said New York State Police Bureau of Criminal Investigation Lt. Scott Heggelke on Monday.
“He was armed with a knife and a gun,” he said.
There were four children in the home at the time; two of them knocked on a neighbor’s door to summon help, Heggelke said.
Seymour assaulted Powers then forced her into a cornfield behind the home, police said.
“There was some family on the scene, and they were talking to him,” the lieutenant said. “There was definitely concern for (Powers’s) safety.”
One State Police crisis negotiator was on the ground, with others en route. At that point, police knew Seymour had a knife but didn’t know for sure he had a gun.
Assisting during the standoff was U.S. Customs and Border Protection Border Patrol; that agency also offered eyes from the sky with an Air and Marine helicopter, Heggelke said.
“That helped, so we could locate (Seymour and Powers) and start to attempt to negotiate,” he said.
Just after midnight, Seymour released Powers then shot himself, Heggelke said.
He died in the cornfield; an autopsy was set for sometime Monday.
Powers was taken to CVPH Medical Center in Plattsburgh to be treated for injuries; her status wasn’t immediately available Monday afternoon.
Police were still investigating who owns the rifle used in the tragedy.
Email Suzanne Moore: smoore@pressrepublican.com
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WHERE TO GET HELP
If you’re considering suicide, you can get help by calling the following numbers:
For counseling:
Clinton County Mental Health, 565-4060.
Essex County Mental Health Clinic, 873-3670; after-hour emergencies, (888) 854-3773.
In northern Franklin County, around the clock, 483-3261; southern Franklin County, 891-5535.
For emotional crises:
The toll-free Clinton County suicide hot line number is (866) 577-3836. Out-of-county calls are accepted but other options are:
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, (800) 273-TALK (8255).
The Essex County Mental Health Association Hope Line, (800) 440-8074.
That last number is staffed 24-7, but the phone system handles limited calls. If there’s no answer, hang up and try again. Or call 911 or go to your closest emergency room.
Mary Anne Cox holds a Suicide Survivors Support Group in Plattsburgh the second Wednesday of the month. Register with her ahead of time at 563-1141.
