An East XXXXX man shot and killed himself early today in woods off Spring Street, despite repeated attempts by authorities to convince him put down the weapon.

Chad XXXX, 35, of East XXXXX, killed himself this morning with a single gunshot, police said.

The search for XXXX, who was described as “somewhat distraught” earlier by his wife, sparked the closure of school in town as a precaution, police said.

XXXX had fled his home to a wooded area between Spring and West streets around 11 p.m., an area where children walk to school.

But authorities didn’t learn that XXXX had left his home until three hours later. Around 2:13 a.m., police officer Peter Belmore encountered XXXX’s wife as she was looking for him.

Belmore and officer Mark Harvey said they quickly discovered XXXX was armed and in the woods nearby.

Sgt. Michael McLaughlin ordered area agencies and departments to be notified and help in the search for XXXX.

What is known as a reverse 911 call to local residents was made to alert people to the situation.

At some point, officers spotted the man and reported that he fired seven times. However, it was not known if he was aiming at the officers, police said.

Crisis negotiators reached XXXX by cell phone and tried to convince him to surrender but to no avail.

Authorities also tried unsuccessfully to disarm him using a “less than lethal” bean bag gun, police said.

XXXX then fired one shot, killing himself.