Man found dead after 'shelter in place' lifted in Provo domestic situation

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PROVO — Police secured the scene of a domestic situation on Sunday afternoon after asking about 100 households to shelter in place for about four hours.

The shelter-in-place order was lifted just after 1 p.m. Sunday, Provo police officials said on Twitter.

The incident took place near 1700 South and 600 West, according to police. The situation involved a man and woman who had been together for a "many years" but never married, said Provo police detective Nick Dupaix.

Police responded to a domestic disturbance about 8:30 a.m. The situation had escalated quickly, and police said the man shot a gun into the ground before barricading himself inside a home with the weapon.

The woman involved ran out of the house as she heard two more gunshots fired inside, according to Dupaix.

When police arrived, they were unable to make contact with the man. A SWAT team was then called to the scene but also could not make contact.

After some time, police broke a window in the back of the home and placed a robot and drone inside. They then found Richard Austin, 31, who had died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound in the master bedroom, Dupaix said.

Three children who live in the residence were not home at the time of the incident, Dupaix confirmed.

Domestic Abuse Hotlines

Utah Domestic Violence Coalition Hotline: 1-800-897-5465 (LINK)

National Domestic Violence Hotline: 1-800-799-7233 (SAFE)

YWCA 24-Hour Crisis Line: 801-537-8600

Those at the hotline can help victims find a shelter, transitional housing, crisis counseling, child care, services to rebuild credit, and groups provide group and individual therapy. They also can connect victims with legal advice on how to obtain protective orders and stalking injunctions. The council has 17 programs located throughout the state. Services are available for all genders.

Suicide Prevention Resources

If you or someone you know is struggling with thoughts of suicide, KSL encourages you to call the suicide prevention hotline at 1-800-273-TALK.

Crisis Hotlines