Negotiations with armed man end without injury

A family dispute turned into hours of armed negotiation Sunday evening.

An emergency call was placed at 6:30 p.m. to the Watauga County 911 communications center. The caller reported an early middle-aged male involved in a conflict with family members on Bethel Road.

At the time of sheriff's deputies' arrival, the man had exited the residence and threatened bodily arm to himself and the responding officers. He was in possession of a firearm.

The Watauga County Sheriff's Office responded with additional deputies and members of the special operations unit, titled STAR (Special Team and Response).

After more than two hours of anxious negotiations, the individual eventually surrendered to the officers.

There were no injuries reported in the incident.

Watauga Medics were placed on standby during the time, as were the response and assistance of the Boone Police Department and the N.C. Highway Patrol.

The man was transported to Watauga Medical Center (WMC), where he was evaluated by both WMC professionals and staff of the Smoky Mountain Behavioral Evaluation Center. He was then transported tp Grace Hospital in Burke County for further care.

“The deputies initially called to the scene and the special operations officers did a fantastic job. It was a textbook case on how a dangerous situation was defused in a safe and professional manner. I am extremely happy for the individual, family, neighbors and all officers involved,” Sheriff Len Hagaman said.

By Melanie Davis, staff writer