This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant
FRONT ROYAL, VA — There is an important update to pass along regarding a domestic incident out of Front Royal, Virginia.
The Front Royal Police Department has issued a statement following their investigation into an incident in which a man took his life during a police response to a domestic-related call at a home in the 200 block of West 8th Street August 12th.
Originally, officers believed they were being fired upon from inside the home and they got one of the victims to safety out of the yard and then went in through the back door of the home and brought out two children. The evidence gathered during the subsequent investigation revealed the man inside the home had not been shooting at police.
An update posted by the Front Royal Police Department later that week reveals the police department determined “only one gunshot was fired within the residence which shattered the front window, leading officers to believe the shots were aimed towards them. Further investigation has revealed that no shots were fired at 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 disturbance, which escalated into an armed barricade situation. Tragically, George Edward Mulligan Jr. was later found deceased due to a self-inflicted injury. After thoroughly investigating the scene, it was determined that only one gunshot was fired within the residence which shattered the front window, leading officers to believe the shots were aimed towards them. Further investigation has revealed that no shots were fired at officers. We regret any inaccuracies in previous statements. The Front Royal Police Department extends its deepest sympathies to the family and friends of George Edward Mulligan Jr. during this difficult time.
The incident happened around 11:00 at night.
Officers say a woman was in the front yard when they arrived. A man, identified as George Edward Mulligan Jr., age 39, was inside the home when police arrived and reportedly fired one shot from within the residence.
Officers did not return fire and removed the woman to safety.
The officers believed the incident had escalated to an armed barricade situation when they made entry through the rear of the home and rescued the two children unharmed.
Police attempted to make contact with the suspect but were unsuccessful.
They deployed a gas canister into the home and getting no response, few a drone inside the home where they discovered a deceased male.
They made entry into the home at 3 a.m. and believe that Mulligan Junior died of a self-inflicted injury.
“Although this outcome was not what we had hoped for, we are grateful that no one else was injured,” the Front Royal Police say.
Among those providing assistance along with the Warren County Sheriff’s Office were Virginia State Police, Winchester Police Department, Frederick County Sheriff’s Office, and Rappahannock County Sheriff’s Office.
