A six-hour standoff between law enforcement and a man barricaded inside a Strasburg apartment with his 3-year-old daughter ended peacefully Monday night, according to officials.
Deputies initially responded to 26 Haswell Circle, Apt. B around 3:30 p.m. to serve a protection order on the individual inside, which included instructions for the child to be returned to her mother. However, upon arrival, the man slammed the door on deputies and began making threats to harm himself and the child, according to a press release from the Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office.
At one point during a FaceTime call, the suspect was seen holding a handgun to his daughter’s head, escalating the situation, officials said.
Sheriff Orvis Campbell, detectives, and additional deputies arrived on the scene, with Captain Adam Fisher—a certified hostage negotiator—taking over communications with the suspect. Over the next several hours, law enforcement worked to de-escalate the situation, engaging in negotiations and attempting to persuade the man to release the child and surrender, according to the press release.
As negotiations progressed, the suspect’s tone became calmer, and he began discussing demands with law enforcement, including speaking with others for legal advice. One of those individuals was an attorney, who urged the man to comply, emphasizing that his cooperation was essential to demonstrating his commitment to his daughter’s safety, officials said.
At approximately 9:30 p.m., the suspect voluntarily exited the residence and was taken into custody without incident, according to the sheriff’s office. The child was secured and placed in the care of a close family friend temporarily.
Deputies served the protection order, and all weapons inside the home were seized in accordance with the court order, the press release stated. The suspect was transported to the Tuscarawas County Jail, though no formal charges have been filed as of yet. Detectives are consulting with Tuscarawas County Prosecutor Ryan Styer regarding potential charges, according to officials.
The Tuscarawas County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by the Strasburg Police Department and Ohio State Highway Patrol, which set up roadblocks to keep the area secure during the standoff, according to the press release.
No injuries were reported during the incident, officials said.
