Update on Stand-Off With Armed Suspect, Fire Incident
June 11, 2021 - Earlier this morning, a male body found in the rubble of the suspect’s home was positively identified as homeowner Thomas Razzi, 66, during an autopsy performed by the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office. The cause and manner of death is still pending. Razzi’s body was found shortly before midnight in the burned-out home once Lower Providence Township Police and investigators were able to safely enter the residence to conduct the recovery operation.
The incident began at 11:56 AM on June 10, 2021, when Lower Providence Township Police Officers received a 911 call from a witness advising a Lower Providence Township Code Enforcement Officer was being chased by a male with a gun. A minute later, at 11:57 AM, another call came in from the Code Enforcement Officer who reported being chased by a male with a gun. The incident was initiated when the Code Enforcement Officer arrived on location to perform a follow-up inspection at the home for known hoarding conditions. After the Code Enforcement Officer entered the home, the homeowner, Thomas Razzi, displayed a firearm. The Code Enforcement Officer acted quickly and was able to exit the home and alert neighbors requesting that they contact the police.
At noon, two Lower Providence Township Police Officers arrived on scene and confronted Razzi in front of his home and ordered him to stop. Razzi, who was unarmed at the time, retreated into his home, and slammed the door behind him. As additional police officers arrived on scene, a perimeter around the suspect’s residence was established.
A short time later, a series of loud explosions and gunfire was heard coming from the suspect’s residence. Police believed that the suspect was the source of the explosions and gunfire and that he had intentionally started the fire. At no time did police and the suspect exchange gunfire; police did not discharge their weapons. Immediately, flames and smoke became visible, and officers began evacuating nearby neighbors to a safe location. Once the scene was safe, the Lower Providence Township Fire Department responded and began fire suppression. The fire destroyed three townhomes and caused damage to three others. Displaced residents have been in contact with the Red Cross and everyone who needed accommodations has received them. The Code Enforcement Officer sustained minor injuries and was treated at a local hospital then released.
An investigation into the cause and origin of the fire was conducted by the Lower Providence Township Fire Marshal, Montgomery County Sheriff’s Bomb Squad, Pennsylvania State Police, ATF, and FBI. Preliminary information indicates that the cause of the explosions and gunfire were likely the result of chemical substances being mixed to make illegal fireworks, along with ammunition exploding due to the fire. It has been learned that the suspect made his own fireworks and had several firearms and ammunition inside his home.
The investigation is ongoing and anyone with information is asked to contact the Lower Providence Township Police Department at 610-539-5901.
Released under the authority of: Michael Jackson, Chief of Police