UPDATE: Front Royal man did NOT shoot at police during domestic incident – ​​The Panhandle News Network

FRONT ROYAL, VA — There is an important update on a domestic incident in Front Royal, Virginia.

The Front Royal Police Department has released a statement following its investigation into an incident in which a man took his own life during a police response to a domestic emergency call at a home in the 200 block of West 8th Street on August 12.

At first, officers believed they were being shot at from inside the house. They took one of the victims to safety from the yard, then entered the house through the back door and took out two children. Evidence collected during the subsequent investigation showed that the man inside the house had not fired shots at police.

An update released by the Front Royal Police Department later that week revealed that the police department determined that “only one shot was fired inside the residence, shattering the front window, leading officers to believe the shots were directed at them. Further investigation determined that no shots were fired at the officers. We regret any inaccuracies in previous statements.”

08/14/2024 Update on West 8th Street Incident, Front Royal, VA – The Front Royal Police Department is providing an update on the incident that occurred on August 12, 2024 at a residence in the 200 block of West 8th Street. Officers responded to a reported domestic altercation that escalated into an armed barricade situation. Tragically, George Edward Mulligan Jr. was later found deceased due to a self-inflicted injury. After a thorough investigation of the scene, it was determined that only one shot was fired inside the residence, shattering the front window, leading officers to believe the shots were directed at them. Further investigation has determined that officers were not shot at. We regret any inaccuracies in previous statements. The Front Royal Police Department extends its deepest condolences to the family and friends of George Edward Mulligan Jr. during this difficult time.

The incident occurred around 11:00 p.m.

Officers said a woman was in the front yard when they arrived. A man named George Edward Mulligan Jr. (39) was inside the house when police arrived and reportedly fired a shot from inside the house.

The officers did not return fire and brought the woman to safety.

Officers believed the incident had escalated into an armed barricade situation when they entered the house through the rear and rescued the two children unharmed.

The police tried unsuccessfully to contact the suspect.
They threw a gas cylinder into the house and got no response. Then they sent a drone into the house, where they discovered a dead man.

They entered the house at 3 a.m. and believe Mulligan Junior died from a self-inflicted injury.

“Although the outcome did not meet our expectations, we are grateful that no one else was injured,” said Front Royal Police.

Those assisting in addition to the Warren County Sheriff's Office included the Virginia State Police, Winchester Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff's Office and Rappahannock County Sheriff's Office.