A Mamou man was killed Thursday night when a State Police SWAT team stormed his house to break a stalemate that began more than 12 hours earlier.

Larry Thomas had held Mamou police, then Evangeline Parish and Troop I officers at bay since shortly after 7 a.m., threatening to kill his wife inside the house.

At one point, it appeared negotiations outside the residence with Mamou Chief Greg Dupuis were making progress, but Thomas brandish a handgun and went back in the house.

Shortly thereafter, about 3 p.m., Mamou requested SWAT assistance.

State Police said they saw an opportunity around 10 p.m. to resolve the impassed peacefully and they took it.

But, officers said, when they entered the house Thomas “armed himself” and they shot and killed him.

Subsequently a woman believed to be East’s wife was found dead in the house. She had been dead for some time, police said.

No information was available regarding what prompted Thomas to initiate the incident.