A 42-year-old Atmore man who barricaded himself inside an Atmore home this morning surrendered to authorities tonight, ending a standoff that had begun nearly 12 hours earlier.
Police Chief Chuck Brooks reported that John Bradley James was finally taken into custody after a full day of negotiations finally brought him from inside the home, where he reportedly lives with his parents. He had been labeled “heavily armed” by police, who surrounded the home and tried unsuccessfully for hours to talk him outside.
The incident began around 9 a.m. when police were dispatched in response to a report of “a man, armed with a weapon and extremely agitated with his family,” who was acting in a threatening manner toward his parents. Two children were also in the home when the incident took place.
According to Brooks, James”s mother was able to sneak the children out of the house this morning, and James later allowed his father to also leave.
Several explosions were heard during the standoff, probably “flash-bang” concussion grenades, and SWAT team members in an assault-type vehicle would approach the home after each one and use the vehicle’s public address system to try and get a response from James.
Police set up a command center in the fellowship hall of Brooks Memorial Baptist Church, situated at the junction of McRae Street and Sneed Drive, and several attempts were made to speak with James by phone.
Police cars and trucks blocked both ends of McRae Street, off which Sneed Drive is situated. Checkpoints were established at the junction of McRae and St. Stephens Court and at the junction of McRae and Fridge Drive.
More than 30 law enforcement vehicles from throughout the area, along with two local ambulances, responded to the standoff.
Brooks did not announce late Tuesday night what charges James will face in connection to the incident.