An overnight standoff with a machete-wielding man ended peacefully Wednesday morning when the suspect surrendered to Hall County deputies.

The incident began around 3 a.m. when police responded to a domestic situation at a home on Mimosa Street in Gainesville.

According to a release from the Hall sheriff's office, deputies "briefly observed a male subject inside the residence but were unable to convince him to open the door."

The sheriff's SWAT team was sent to the house, and after negotiating with the suspect by loudspeaker and telephone for several hours, he surrendered shortly before 8 a.m.

Deputies arrested Epitacio Huerta, 42, of Gainesville, and charged him with obstruction of an emergency call and obstruction of an officer, with additional charges pending the outcome of the investigation.

Authorities said Huerta had armed himself with a large machete during the initial encounter with deputies.

A woman involved in the initial domestic situation had apparently left the home before deputies arrived.

About the Author

Featured

In this file photo from October 2024, Atlanta Braves outfielder Jorge Soler and teammates react after losing to the San Diego Padres 5-4 in San Diego. The Braves and Soler, who now plays for the Los Angeles Angels, face a lawsuit by a fan injured at a 2021 World Series game at Truist Park in Atlanta. (Jason Getz/AJC)

Credit: Jason.Getz@ajc.com