Pelham police called in the region’s special operations unit to negotiate with a 31-year-old man after they heard what they at first believed to be a gunshot coming from inside a home on Victoria Circle and could not get the man to come to the door.

While the Southern New Hampshire Special Operations Unit was surrounding the home and making attempts to contact the man, Pelham officers working an outer perimeter found the man walking by the intersection of Bridge and Old Bridge streets, less than a half mile away.

What police initially thought was the sound of a gunshot they now believe was actually the back door of the home slamming, said Pelham police Lt. Gary Fisher, who added no firearms were found in the home.

The man, whose name cannot be released, had called 911 on Wednesday, Aug. 20, and requested mental health assistance. The 911 operator lost the connection with him, and Pelham police responded to the home just before 8:30 p.m.

When they heard the loud bang, officers retreated from house and began to set up a perimeter. They tried to make contact with him using a loud speaker, and then called in the SOU.

The man had been consuming alcohol, Fisher said, but was not heavily intoxicated when the Pelham officers found him. The man was taken to Parkland Medical Center and eventually released.

Fisher said anyone suffering from mental or emotional issues should not be afraid contact police for help.

“Don’t ever hesitate to contact us. We can put (people) in touch with outside agencies to assist them. We’re a valuable resource when it comes to that stuff,” said Fisher.