William Bickerstaff

Less-than-lethal force

William Bickerstaff died from smoke inhalation during a six-hour standoff with police. Just before midnight, officers responded to a report of a domestic violence battery, police said. Negotiators reportedly established communication with Bickerstaff, but he would not leave the house. During the standoff, Bickerstaff allegedly fired at least one shot. At about 5:30 a.m., police fired teargas into the house, which subsequently caught fire. The fire was extinguished and officers found Bickerstaff unconscious. He died at a hospital.