The stand-off has entered its third day but little progress has been made
A father believed to be carrying weapons and holding his eight-year-old son is still barricaded in his house as an attempted police siege enters its third day.
The armed dad has been locked inside his home in Earlsdon, Coventry ever since authorities sent officers to conduct a welfare check on January 9.
Images posted to a Facebook page thought to be connected to him are now circulating online, with concern growing around the safety of both the father and his child.
Negotiators and counter-terrorism police remain posted outside of the building as they continue to try and talk with the 41-year-old man and find a resolution.
Campaigner and journalist Jason Evans has been chronicling the operation since it began, posting a video of police gearing up on Monday to once again try and extract both parties safely.
8am this morning. Armed police gear up as #Coventry stand-off enters Day 2. #Earlsdon #News #UK pic.twitter.com/nhKIfvKOPp
— Jason Evans (@JasonEvansF8) January 10, 2022
Speaking to the Daily Mail, a neighbour said the armed dad “has always seemed OK with me but he does have mental health issues. There are two boys who come and visit him – I don’t think they live there.”
They went on to explain how “he allowed one of them to leave on Saturday but the other boy is still inside” – the second boy’s relationship to the man has not yet been confirmed.
Naturally, the sense of urgency is growing as authorities and locals look to ensure the young boy’s safety and defuse the situation with his father as soon as possible.
Evans posted more images again this morning, showing the heavily geared up officers trying to discuss strategy and approach the house:
8:20am this morning – Coventry armed stand-off enters DAY 3. #Earlsdon
Pictures: @JasonEvansF8 pic.twitter.com/aZKE8YQ2YJ
— Jason Evans (@JasonEvansF8) January 11, 2022
The police cordon remains up around Earlsdon Avenue North and onlookers are reporting that 20 or more officers are still present on the scene.
More on this story as it unfolds.
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