ROCKY MOUNT, Va. – 11 A.M. Friday update:
A man is facing a handful of charges after a standoff that lasted nearly 10 hours Thursday night outside of Rocky Mount.
According to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, 28-year-old Clinton Wayne Wiseman, of Wirtz, is being held without bond at the Franklin County Jail.
He was originally charged with three counts of reckless handling of a firearm, brandishing a firearm and assault on a family member. Additional charges as a result of the standoff include two additional counts of reckless handling of a firearm, obstruction of justice, two counts of unlawfully shooting in an occupied building and a bomb or burn threat.
1:00 A.M Friday update:
After a nearly 10-hour standoff, authorities took 28-year-old Clinton Wayne Wiseman, of Wirtz, into custody, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
Officers used tear gas in the storm shelter where Wiseman was barricaded, which is when he came out.
Wiseman was taken into custody around midnight without further incident.
Multiple agencies assisted the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office, including the Virginia State Police.
ORIGINAL STORY
As of 11:30 p.m. Thursday night, authorities are still involved in a standoff near Rocky Mount in the 1200 block of Bonbrook Mill Road.
Deputies are trying to talk to a man in his late 20s who has barricaded himself inside an underground storm shelter, according to the Franklin County Sheriff’s Office.
The suspect has fired multiple shots. The Sheriff’s Office says the shots weren’t fired at deputies. Authorities have not returned fire.
Virginia State Police joined the effort around 8 p.m. to resolve the situation safely.
Authorities don’t know how many guns the suspect has in the shelter. Officers are familiar with the suspect from encounters in the past and authorities said there may be drug use going on.
He entered the shelter from inside the house.
He has a number of family members in the area watching the scene unfold. Some family members have tried to speak with him, but he still has not been willing to come out.
The situation began when deputies arrived around 2:45 p.m. for a warrant service. The Sheriff’s Office has not released details about the warrant or why they tried arresting the suspect.
For the safety of everyone in the area, Bonbrook Mill Road is closed from US 220 to Wirtz Road. The Sheriff’s Office is asking drivers to detour and avoid the area.