Officials ID man dead of apparent suicide following police standoff

SALEM – Officials identified the victim in a standoff in Salem and said he died in an apparent suicide.George Sprague, 49, was found dead from an apparent suicide after officials entered the victim’s Meadow Street home following a standoff on Saturday, according to a press release from Essex District Attorney Jonathan Blodgett.Salem Police responded to a report of an explosion in the first floor of 13 Meadow St. at approximately 7:48 a.m. Saturday, Blodgett said. As officers approached the residence, an explosive device was thrown in their direction. The device did not detonate, however, a SWAT team and bomb squad were among the law enforcement officials called to the scene.Blodgett said that multiple attempts to contact the resident of the first-floor apartment were unsuccessful, and multiple explosions went off inside the apartment. Law enforcement officials entered the apartment at 12:56 p.m. Saturday and found Sprague dead.