FALLS CHURCH, Va. (CBSDC) — A man barricaded himself inside of a Falls Church home following a domestic dispute, prompting a large police response and causing a neighborhood to go on virtual lock down.

Authorities say the man pulled out a gun and threatened to burn a home down in the 600 block of Hillwood Ave. around 4:30 p.m. Monday.

The gunman’s family fled, leaving the suspect alone in the home, and ran to a neighbor’s house for shelter where they called police.

Shortly after authorities arrived a SWAT team was brought in to assist in the standoff.

At some point during the standoff shots were fired. Authorities said they were not aimed at police, nor was the suspect firing at himself.

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Police evacuated homes on either side of the barricaded house. Nearby residents were told to stay put, meaning families were separated for hours as the situation unfolded.

Hillwood Ave. closed to traffic as authorities tried to manage the situation.

Police tried in vain to contact the man for hours.