November 11, 1996

The ultimate 'bad scenario'

       White River Township firefighters clean up after a blaze gutted the home Eric Smith had holed up in late Friday night.  Tactical team members used a “flash-bang” device to try to surprise Smith and bring the standoff to an end.  The device triggered the fire.  Smith died of a self-inflicted gunshot wound nearly an hour before the tactical team could reach him.  (Reprinted with permission from the Daily Journal)

  
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