Two Lakeland police officers and two SWAT members shot and killed a man after a lengthy standoff that started Monday evening.

No officers were injured.

A woman was also found dead in the home after the standoff.

Police believe James Monroe shot his wife Susan inside their home in the 2800 block of Katherine Avenue and then called police dispatch just before 6 p.m. to report her death.

“The dispatcher said he sounded confused and he made a comment that he wanted the police department to go ahead and shoot him,” said LPD Sgt. Gary Gross.

When officers arrived, they spotted Monroe armed with a rifle. He initially barricaded himself in the home and refused to come out, police said. The neighborhood was locked down and negotiators were brought in to coax the man out of the home peacefully.

"All night we are…if I could use the word beg. We were begging this guy to come out so we could resolve this,” Gross said.

After a standoff that lasted more than five hours, Monroe exited the home with a weapon, according to police. He was shot by officers and SWAT team members.

“I hate to say it. A classic suicide by cop," Gross said.

Monroe was transported to the Lakeland Regional Medical Center, where he was pronounced dead at 11:45 p.m.

"They (officers) challenged him, gave him verbal commands see his hands," said LPD Assistant Chief Mike Link. "At that point in time, they couldn’t see his hands. Then suddenly he produced a handgun in his hands and pointed it at the officers."

When officers searched the home, the body of the woman was found inside.

"He wanted to die by the police killing him," said Gross. "He wanted us to take his life."

Monroe had been Baker Acted on December 16. According to the police report, Monroe told officers that day that a drug enforcement agency officer had been hiding in his attic. Susan Monroe told officers her husband needed help.

Neighbor Patrick Pauleos said Monroe seemed like a nice guy but strange.

"He didn't seem like the type to go shoot a family member,” he said. "Just a spaced like, like you know, when he walked from here to the mailbox. You know it wasn't just a regular guy. It was more like OK I come out when there is nobody out here type thing."

Another neighbor said the couple had been arguing recently.