Chester County SWAT negotiator sings Christmas carol, barricaded man surrenders

EAST VINCENT TOWNSHIP, Pa. (WTXF) - The Christmas Truce was over 100 years ago, but a similar strategy was used to by a Chester County SWAT negotiator to end a deadly standoff on Christmas Eve.

Shortly after 9:00 p.m., police responded to a home in East Vincent Township where officials say Nathaniel Lewis, 34, fired four rounds at his sister-in-law who had come to check on him.

SWAT arrived on scene and found Lewis armed and barricaded in his home. Soon after, a brief gunfight erupted when Lewis began firing at officers from a second story window.

Lewis was found out to be a U.S. Army Sargent in the 328th Brigade Support Battalion of the Pennsylvania National Guard.

After an ten hour standoff, Lewis finally decided to come out, but only after the police negotiator sung "White Christmas" to him.

The negotiator obliged for all four verses of the popular Christmas carol, and Lewis kept up his end of the deal.

"He said, "I'm coming out! I'm surrendering!" and he walked out and was arrested," said District Attorney Tom Hogan.

"It is unbelievable that nobody died, it's unbelievable none of the cops were shot, it's unbelievable the defendant was not shot."

As for the residents of the neighborhood, this incident has served as a wake up call.

"We need to do a better job as neighbors," said Derek Little. "Maybe a handshake or a pat on the back with that young man could have changed his life."

Lewis is being held without bail in Chester County. He will face a number of charges.