EPD peacefully resolves standoff on Blevins Ave.

Published 8:11 am Thursday, August 29, 2019

Officials responding to a call about a welfare check Wednesday afternoon got into a standoff on Blevins Avenue after the suspect barricaded himself in a home with a gun.

Elizabethton Police Chief Jason Shaw said they had gotten a call about the individual the day before, but were unable to make contact at the time.

“Officers made contact,” Shaw said. “He came out with a rifle and went back into the house.”

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Officers then initiated a two and a half hour standoff, deterring residents from entering the area. The fire department arrived just in case, along with several police vehicles.

Later in the afternoon, negotiators were able to convince the suspect to surrender.

“We were able to safely resolve the situation,” Shaw said. “No shots were fired.”

He said he was not sure if the suspect has any charges due to the incident, though he said they are working on getting the suspect mental and medical attention in the meantime.

“Everyone involved did an excellent job,” he said. “The residents were very lucky the situation was resolved.”

Shaw said he was satisfied with the result, saying it turned out the way they hoped it would.