A man was taken into custody Saturday night following an hours-long armed standoff in East Canton that prompted evacuations and the activation of the Alliance SWAT Team.
Officers were dispatched at approximately 7:30 p.m. Saturday to the 220 block of South Berger Street for a report of a person with a gun, according to a news release from East Canton Police Chief Christopher Hartlaub.
Police said a woman who was visiting a friend told officers that an upstairs neighbor approached her and asked for a ride. When she refused, the man allegedly became irate and threatened to shoot her.
According to the caller, the suspect then returned to his apartment, retrieved a rifle and opened a second-floor window. The man allegedly told the woman she was trespassing and threatened to shoot her if she did not leave the area. Police said the suspect then pointed the rifle at the woman before again ordering her to leave.
The woman fled the scene and contacted police.
Officers attempted to make contact with the suspect at the residence but were unsuccessful. Additional efforts to reach him by telephone and public address system also failed, police said.
Due to concerns for public safety, nearby residences were evacuated and the Alliance SWAT Team was called to assist.
After several hours, authorities established communication with the suspect, who agreed to speak with SWAT negotiators. Following negotiations, the suspect surrendered without incident and was taken into custody.
Hartlaub said the suspect, a man in his mid-50s, was booked into the Stark County Jail. His name has not been released.
A search warrant was later executed at the residence, and evidence was recovered, according to police.
Hartlaub said the standoff lasted approximately 4½ to 5 hours before ending peacefully.
The East Canton Police Department was assisted by the Louisville Police Department and the Alliance SWAT Team.
The incident remains under investigation.
