Resident Arrested After SWAT Standoff

Johnnie Crosby McCarthan, 30, of Tanners Spring Drive in Johns Creek, was arrested and charged with making terroristic threats and obstruction of law enforcement officers after Sunday night's standoff with a SWAT team.

On Sunday afternoon around 2, Johns Creek Police had responded to a disturbance call regarding a possible emotionally disturbed person at McCarthan's residence.

His mother called 911 asking for assistance in getting her son to a hospital.  She told police that her son, a former military member, suffered from post-traumatic stress disorder and other mental health issues, and was off his medication.  She called police from her cell phone while standing outside of the home.

McCarthan told police, “I’m not coming out and if you come in I will shoot.”  A perimeter was established around the home and negotiations between McCarthan and a crisis negotiation team began.

With no success, North Metro SWAT (a joint team of specially trained police officers from Johns Creek, Sandy Springs and Dunwoody) was called in and efforts continued to get McCarthan to cooperate and leave his home to receive medical attention. 

After eight hours, members of Gwinnett Police Department’s SWAT responded to relieve North Metro SWAT and at approximately 11:45 p.m., McCarthan exited his home without further incident. No one was injured during the 10-hour standoff. 

McCarthan was taken to Grady Memorial Hospital for evaluation.