Armed man barricades himself in Cairo home after damaging police vehicle, prompting hours-long standoff with New York State Police and deployment of crisis negotiators and tactical units

Cairo, New York – On the afternoon of March 21, 2025, a tense situation unfolded in the quiet town of Cairo, leading to a prolonged standoff between Nicholas Cassillo and the New York State Police. The incident began around 3:18 p.m. when local law enforcement received reports of a distressed individual at a residence on Blackhead Mountain Road.

Upon their arrival, state troopers from the Catskill and Coxsackie barracks attempted to engage with 42-year-old Cassillo of Round Top, NY. However, interactions quickly escalated as Cassillo displayed aggressive behavior, wielding a large knife and a metal object. In the chaos, he caused considerable damage to a police vehicle before barricading himself inside his home.

Recognizing the severity of the situation, crisis negotiators from the Troop F Bureau of Criminal Investigation (BCI) were called to the scene. These trained specialists embarked on a delicate mission to de-escalate the crisis, initiating dialogue with Cassillo. The negotiation process stretched on for approximately 10 hours, testing the patience and skill of the team.

The standoff reached a turning point late in the evening when, after hours of careful negotiation, Cassillo agreed to exit his residence and surrender to the authorities. He was promptly taken into custody without further incident.

Following his arrest, Cassillo faced serious charges, including two counts of menacing a police officer, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon in the third degree, and one count of criminal mischief in the second degree. These charges were processed during his arraignment at the Town of Cairo Court, after which he was remanded to Greene County Jail.

The resolution of this incident was a collaborative effort, involving multiple law enforcement agencies. Alongside the New York State Police, members of the Special Operations Response Team (SORT), Greene County Sheriff’s Office, and New York State Forest Rangers provided crucial support to ensure public safety and bring the standoff to a peaceful end.

This incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in managing crises involving armed and distressed individuals. It also underscores the importance of skilled crisis negotiators who play a vital role in defusing potentially dangerous situations.