A retired police officer and his son are in police custody this morning after an 8-hour SWAT standoff at a Fayetteville apartment complex, authorities said.
About 11:40 p.m. Friday, John Meron Simon III, his son and his son’s wife got into some kind of dispute inside Simon’s unit at the Weatherly Walk apartments, Fayetteville police told Channel 2 Action News.
John Meron Simon IV, 36, and his wife had gone to the complex in the 100 block of Knights Way to visit the father, according to Channel 2.
The wife, who has not been identified, was injured during a physical scuffle with the father, Lt. Mike Whitlow said in a news release. Simon IV fired three shots inside the apartment to try to end the argument, according to Channel 2. No one was injured.
Simon IV and his wife left the apartment, went to a relative’s home in Fayetteville and called 911, according to Channel 2. When officers tried to question Simon III, 67, he refused to exit the apartment and barricaded himself inside, Whitlow said.
Officers received information that Simon III is a retired police officer and had several weapons inside the apartment, Whitlow said. Fayetteville police surrounded the residence and evacuated nearby residents. Officials with the Peachtree City Police Department, the Fayette County Sheriff’s Office and the GBI assisted, according to Channel 2.
SWAT negotiators spoke with Simon III from midnight until 8:02 this morning, when he surrendered voluntarily. He was arrested on aggravated assault and obstruction charges. Simon IV was taken into custody about 2 a.m. today at the relative’s residence and charged with aggravated assault. His wife was not charged.
Father and son are being held at the Fayette County jail.
The incident remains under investigation.
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