A man being served a warrant on Sunday, May 31, in Center Township pulled out a firearm and allowed a state trooper to leave the Sunflower Road home just before he was found dead from a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

Police heard a single gunshot come from the residence and returned to find the 77-year-old man, James George Sgro dead, according to court documents. Police said he was found dead of a self-inflicted wound.

State police in Mercer had planned to press assault charges against the man killed Sunday, May 31, in Center Township while police were attempting to serve an arrest warrant, according to court records.

The records, obtained Monday, showed police were executing an arrest warrant for Sgro at 116 Sunflower Road in Center Township. The warrant was for theft out of Delaware County, court records show.

Police said troopers were in Sgro’s home while confirming the warrant. According to court records, Sgro said he had to use the bathroom and was escorted there by a trooper.

Then, Sgro pulled out a firearm and said he “did not want to hurt” the trooper, police said. The trooper was then able to leave the residence.

Police had planned to charge Sgro with felony aggravated assault and one misdemeanor count each of terroristic threats and simple assault following the Sunday incident.

The state police Special Emergency Response Team also responded. Sgro was found deceased when police reentered the home.