Bazetta man faces charges after standoff

BAZETTA — A 39-year-old township man faces several charges after his arrest following a standoff with police that ended peacefully.

James Vandervort of Ivy Hill Circle South surrendered outside his residence after shots were fired in the apartment building.

Bazetta police officers were called to the scene at 10:47 p.m. Thursday after they received a call that shots were fired. When officers arrived, they heard two additional shots. Officers attempted to contact Vandervort, but he would not respond.

About 20 residents were evacuated from four apartment buildings.

No one was injured during the standoff that also involved the Mahoning Valley Law Enforcement Task Force, Trumbull County sheriff’s office, Howland and Johnston townships and Cortland police, Ohio State Highway Patrol, Bazetta Fire Department and Mosquito Lake park rangers.

Vandervort is charged with one count each of being a convicted felon in possession of a firearm, discharging a firearm into a habitation, using weapons while intoxicated, criminal damaging/endangering and tampering with drugs.

He is a paraplegic and lives alone. He was arraigned Friday and posted $100,000 bond while awaiting a preliminary hearing.