Continuously serving Kosciusko County since 1854
A Warsaw man shot himself to death Sunday night following a standoff with officers from Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department.
Thomas M. Walgamuth, 39, 1609 Greenhill Drive, Warsaw, died of a gunshot wound to the head at 5:23 p.m.
Neighbors called police at 3:45 p.m. with reports that Walgamuth was outside his residence with a hatchet in one hand and a gun in the other. Walgamuth had been destroying the exterior of his home with the hatchet.
Upon their arrival officers asked Walgamuth to put down the weapons. Walgamuth threw down the axe and went inside the home, gun in hand.
Police negotiated with Walgamuth for 45 minutes, then officers determined that he needed medical assistance and fired tear gas into the home.
According to officials, officers heard one gunshot after the tear gas was fired into the home. Officers kicked in the door and discovered Walgamuth's body.
Kosciusko County Sheriff Al Rovenstine reported that county officers have visited the Walgamuth residence several times. Neighbors have called voicing concern over the man's behavior, having seen him outside with weapons before.
Officials report visiting the Walgamuth residence to answer complaints as much as twice a week since August.
Assisting the Kosciusko County Sheriff's Department were Kosciusko County coroner John Sadler, Warsaw Police Department, Indiana State Police, Warsaw EMS and Warsaw Fire Department.
