A man who barricaded himself inside a northwest Atlanta church during a funeral for his grandfather Saturday was apprehended without incident, a police spokesman said.

Update: Atlanta church standoff suspect identified as Curtis Snow, ‘Snow on tha Bluff’ star

The standoff with the distraught funeral-goer, who barricaded himself inside a bathroom at the Higher Ground Empowerment Center at 561 Spencer St., began about 3 p.m. Earlier reports of a hostage-taking proved wrong, said Atlanta Police Department spokesman Lukasz Sajdak. The incident was over by 6:30 p.m.

Streets surrounding the church were blocked off. Officers with assault rifles and body armor surrounded the church. A helicopter buzzed overhead. A SWAT team eventually entered the church.

The church’s pastor told Channel 2 Action News that the suspect was the grandson of the 94-year-old deceased man who was eulogized earlier. The preacher added that the nephew was visibly upset.

About the Author

Keep Reading

Eleanor Bowles was killed Dec. 10, 2022. She was 77. (Courtesy)

Credit: Family photo

Featured

Ceudy Gutierrez reads a book to her 2-year-old son, Matias, at their home in Buford, GA, on Tuesday, Nov. 18, 2025. Ceudy Gutierrez is struggling to make ends meet for herself and her three young kids following her husband’s ICE arrest earlier this fall. (Miguel Martinez/ AJC)

Credit: Miguel Martinez-Jimenez