Hours-Long Standoff With Armed Woman Ends Peacefully in Toms River

With the help of police negotiators, a standoff between police and an armed woman who had barricaded herself in her home ended peacefully Monday.

Toms River officers responded to the report of a suicidal female on the 2100 Block of Rainbow Way around 3 p.m. Monday, according to police spokesman Ralph Stocco.

Upon arrival officers spoke with the person who called in the report, at which point the woman inside called the reporting party and said that she had a loaded rifle and would shoot any police officer who came to the door, Stocco said. The threat to shoot officers was heard by the officers outside.

After hearing the woman's statement, Stocco said, police established a perimeter of the residence and requested additional assistance, including the department's Emergency Service Unit (ESU), EMS squad and the department's negotiators.

Police communications officers contacted the surrounding residences and briefed the neighbors of the situation and advised them to remain inside their homes.

Eventually, negotiators established a dialogue with the woman in an attempt to have her exit the residence, which went on for several hours.  At one point, according to Stocco, the woman could be seen by the officers at the rear door of the residence holding a rifle. 

"She continued to act irrational and refused to exit the residence," Stocco said. 

At approximately 7:30 pm, the negotiator was able to get her to leave the residence unarmed and she was taken into custody without further incident.

The woman was ultimately identified as Susan Ordemann, 52. She was transported to a hospital for evaluation and treatment, and subsequently charged with possession of a weapon for an unlawful purpose.