PR03-009

Date:

March 21, 2003

 
17-Hour Standoff Ends With Release of Hostage; Gunman Killing Self
 

A standoff between Fulton County Sheriff’s deputies and an armed gunman ended Thursday with the release of a hostage and the gunman taking his own life.

The gunman, whose name is being withheld pending notification of family, was wanted on a felony warrant out of Dekalb County. The incident began Wednesday evening around 7:20 p.m. when deputies from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office arrived at the Wyncroft Apartments on Welcome All Road to execute the warrant. Upon arrival, the armed suspect avoided capture by taking his 19 year old girlfriend hostage inside the apartment. Nearby residents were quickly evacuated as SWAT teams were called to the scene.

Hostage Negotiators from the Fulton County Sheriff’s Office had negotiated with the suspect throughout the night and into the next morning. At 9:00 a.m., Thursday, the suspect released his girlfriend unharmed. Negotiations broke off at10:50 a.m. after negotiators heard what sounded like a muffled “pop” from inside the apartment. When the suspect would no longer answer the phone, SWAT teams entered the apartment at 12:30 p.m. and found the suspect dead from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.

The Fulton County Police Office and MARTA Police provided assistance during the 17-hour ordeal. An FBI “Crisis Negotiator” also assisted with negotiations. 

For more information, please contact Sergeant Clarence Huber at (404) 730-4148. Sergeant Huber can also be reached on his digital pager at (404) 742-6798.