14-hour standoff in Valley ends in arrest

More than 14 hours after a standoff between law enforcement and a man inside a Valley house began Friday, acting Valley police Chief James Bryan got his wish — a peaceful end.

“It took longer than we anticipated,” Bryan said minutes after the man was taken into custody at approximately 2:58 p.m. CDT Friday. “We’re very happy that no one was hurt during this incident.”

The man was charged with one count of terroristic threats and taken to Chambers County Jail, according to a Valley Police Department release.

The standoff began at 12:30 a.m. CDT after Valley police responded to a 911 call at a residence in the 2500 block of 14th Avenue East and were threatened with violence by a man, reportedly armed with a pistol, inside the house, according to police.

The 911 call had been made by the man, who was alone inside the residence throughout the standoff, Bryan said. Bryan did not provide the man’s name.

Shortly after the standoff began, Bryan said he requested mutual aid from the Alabama State Troopers’ special response team at the scene. The man was taken into custody by the state troopers and then released to Valley police, Bryan said.

Valley Emergency Medical Services, Lanett Police Department and Chambers County Sheriff’s Office also provided assistance at the scene.

The man barricaded himself inside the house, but he did come out of the house, at times, during the standoff, Bryan said.

Officers communicated with the man at the scene, Bryan said. At one point, a preacher, medical doctor and friend of the man were also in contact with law enforcement officers at the scene “in an attempt to resolve the situation,” Bryan said.

A three-block area of the neighborhood was evacuated and streets between 14th Avenue East and 25th Street were blocked by emergency vehicles throughout the standoff. Power was also turned off to the affected area, Bryan said.

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