Standoff Ends With Tear Gas After Man Threatens To Kill Police

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A SWAT standoff ended Tuesday when officers fired gas rounds into a house and arrested a man after he threatened family members and texted police he would kill them, according to Gwinnett County Police.

Stephen Morgan, 29, was arrested after refusal to come out of his home, at 4110 Tuggle Road, Buford, after police and SWAT teams had surrounded the residence. Police were initially called to the home on Monday after he sent threatening text messages to his family. Morgan pointed a knife at officers when they arrived but was not close enough to threaten them directly.

Family members told police that Morgan was schizophrenic and officers said he was acting erratically. Both the family and the police decided to leave the residence Monday. Among Morgan's texts was a message threatening to kill police officers.

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On Tuesday, Officers returned with a warrant for simple assault and terroristic threats and acts.

Once officers confirmed that all family members were outside the house, they called Morgan outside. Morgan was acting erratically and would not come out, police said. Family members told police that Morgan still had the knife and that there was a firearm inside the residence.

After talking with Morgan, negotiators determined he was suffering from a mental health problem. Negotiations were unsuccessful for several hours, so at about 3 p.m. SWAT officers fired gas rounds into the house. Morgan then began speaking with negotiators and surrendered. He came out and was taken into custody without further incident at 3:30 p.m.

Morgan was evaluated by fire department personnel, then allowed to speak with his family before being transported to the Gwinnett County Sheriff’s Office Detention Center. Morgan was charged with simple assault, terroristic threats and acts and obstruction of a law enforcement officer.

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Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department