Suspect in custody after 5-hour Clayton County standoff
A SWAT standoff with a barricaded gunman in Clayton County ended after about five hours Wednesday, authorities said.
Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution after a 30-year-old man, identified as Robert Earl Gordon, barged into a home on Ernest Drive in Forest Park around 9 a.m.
The gunman who barricaded himself in his friend's home is now out of the house safely. No injuries. Police are transporting him to PD now. We're working to find out how the SWAT standoff ended & who the suspect is. pic.twitter.com/YqpuWoiSl6
— Tyisha Fernandes (@TyishaWSB) May 23, 2018
The home is near Forest Park Middle School. The school was not on lockdown and dismissed at 1 p.m. as planned, according to Forest Park police.
“The incident was contained to the house so there was no reason for the school to go on lockdown,” Forest Park police Sgt. Kelli Flanigan told The Atlanta Journal-Constitution.
A gunman has barricaded himself in a home near Forest Park Middle School. A hostage negotiator is trying to get the gunman out. He's in the home alone, his friends escaped. The school isn't on lockdown - students are getting dismissed in about 30minutes pic.twitter.com/KJ5H7swE8W
— Tyisha Fernandes (@TyishaWSB) May 23, 2018
Forest Park police were the first to respond when the man reportedly forced his way into the home and threatened an acquaintance with a gun.
The people inside were able to escape and call 911.
After attempts to make contact with Gordon were unsuccessful, county SWAT was asked to respond.
Gordon was taken into custody without incident about 1:15 p.m., police said.
He had a probation violation warrant from the Morrow Police Department and a criminal trespass warrant issued by Forest Park police.
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