An Eastover Avenue man who barricaded himself inside his residence Tuesday was taken into custody some eight hours after the incident was first called in to Clinton police around 9:40 a.m.
The resolution of the incident, Clinton Police Chief Adrian Mathews said, came without incident to the suspect, officers or members of the community.
“I am grateful for the peaceful resolution of this situation,” Matthews acknowledged. “The safety of our community is always our top priority, and I commend our officers and partner agencies for their professionalism and dedication.”
City police and assisting Sampson County Sheriff’s deputies maintained a perimeter around Eastover Avenue and an adjoining street throughout the day, making every attempt to get the man inside a residence there, reportedly with a gun, to come out without causing himself or others harm.
His name has not been released.
Mathews said specialized units, including negotiators, were brought in to establish communication with the man.
Throughout the incident, Mathews was adamant that the community was not in any danger.
“This is an isolated incident and the community is safe,” Mathews stressed.
While the situation was fluid at throughout the day, Mathews said there was no one else inside the residence.
A portion of Eastover Avenue and Lafayette Street had been cordoned off to travelers while the situation was being brought under control.
The Head Start program for children, located at 606 College St., and just a few blocks from Eastover, was not placed on lockdown. A person answering the phone at the non-profit, which provides educational opportunities for children ages 3 to 5 years old, said police officials had called to inform them of the situation but assured them the community was safe.
The incident began around 9:40 a.m. Tuesday when police received a 911 call of a man inside a home with a gun. Officers responded immediately, assessed the situation and cordoned off the area.
Around 20 law enforcement officers, eight to 10 of them police, were still at the home around 3:30 p.m.
While Mathews would not comment on the exact procedures being used by officers, he did acknowledge that every attempt was made throughout the day to negotiate a peaceful exit of the Eastover Avenue residence.
“The Clinton Police Department would like to thank residents for their patience and cooperation during the incident,” the police chief noted. “We also acknowledge the assistance of the Sampson County Sheriff’s Office, the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation, the Clinton Fire Department and Sampson County Emergency Management.”
Mathews did not comment on where the individual had been taken once the incident was brought to a peaceful end.