An armed man was arrested Thursday after being rescued from a burning Cherokee County home following a SWAT standoff, authorities said.
It all began when the man’s father called 911 saying he was concerned about his son. He reported that the 36-year-old was inside their home off Kellogg Creek Road and the windows of the front of the house had been shot from the inside, sheriff’s spokesman Capt. Jay Baker said.
When deputies arrived at around 3:20 p.m., Baker said the father advised that his son was still inside with a rifle. The SWAT team was called after deputies were not able to make contact with the man.
Negotiators continued trying to talk to the man until deputies observed him pointing a rifle at them, officials said. He is also accused of firing several rounds at law enforcement from inside the home, Baker said.
“Less-lethal gas munitions” were then thrown inside the home by SWAT members. At some point, Baker said officials believe the man covered a gas canister with fabric and it caught on fire. The blaze quickly spread throughout the home.
SWAT members eventually entered the home and extricated the man, who was not publicly identified.
He suffered minor injuries and was taken to a hospital, Baker said. Authorities did not say what charges he is facing but confirmed arrest warrants were obtained.
Two SWAT members were also injured.
— Please return to The Atlanta Journal-Constitution for updates.
About the Author
