NEWPORT - A local man was taken to the hospital for evaluation after a two-hour standoff with police Wednesday morning on Lorraine Street.

Just before 11 a.m., police were called about a distraught man, Matthew Barrett, 19, of 16 Lorraine St., who fired a gun inside the residence and was threatening suicide, according to a police press release of the incident.

Several family members inside the home at the time the shot was fired were safely evacuated and taken to a safe location while police tried to establish communication with Barrett.

A dozen residences at Birchwood Grove in the area of William and Lorraine streets were cleared and several residents evacuated.

Police, with the help of family members, established and maintained communication with Barrett, who emerged from the residence shortly after 1 p.m. He was taken by Newport Ambulance Service, accompanied by a police officer, to Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center for treatment and evaluation.

His actions remain under investigation, and criminal charges may be brought.

Assisting police at the scene were Newport Ambulance Service, state police, the Sullivan County Sheriff’s Department and the Sullivan County Attorney’s Office.