SWAT officers surrounded an East Point home Monday morning after a home invasion turned into a hostage situation, police said.
Two suspects were taken into custody, and police believe one more is at large after a five-hour standoff on Duke of Gloucester Street. The homeowner, who was in communication with police, was rescued just before 6 a.m. when Fulton County SWAT made their way inside.
“The homeowner is not hurt, just a little scared,” East Point police Capt. Allyn Glover said. “He is safe.”
The homeowner called police about 1:40 a.m. to report a burglary in progress, Glover told AJC.com from the scene. When officers arrived, they heard gunshots ring out.
“We're not sure at this point where they came from,” he said. “Suspects retreated back into the home. One suspect ran out of the home and was apprehended by officers at the time.”
With the assistance of the SWAT unit, the homeowner was rescued from a front bedroom. SWAT officers were able to search the home about 30 minutes later and located the second suspect.
Investigators do not believe the home invasion was random.
“There were drugs found in the home, and one of the suspects advised that’s why they were there,” Glover said.
The SWAT standoff shut down the 2800 block of the street, and neighbors were asked to shelter in place. While a search for the third suspect is ongoing, police activity will not impact operations at nearby Asa Hillard Elementary School, according to Fulton County Schools officials.
Breakfast for some students was delayed, but a spokesman for the district said the school is back to teaching and learning.
— Please return to AJC.com for updates.
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