Police ended a SWAT standoff without serious injury Thursday afternoon after a man barricaded himself in a Chattanooga home with an alleged assault victim.
Late in the morning, officers could be seen on the 300 block of Cross Creek Drive equipping themselves with bulletproof vests, helmets and rifles before walking up the road. A negotiator was also seen walking toward the home.
Lt. Austin Garrett said the initial call to the home about a domestic disorder came at around 9 a.m., and responding officers determined it was necessary to call in the special operations division.
Shortly after noon, an officer could be heard talking over a loudspeaker saying, “We’re here to help you. Pick up the phone, talk to us and let us know what you need. Nobody’s here to hurt you.”
Chattanooga police officers and auxiliary services flood the 300 block of Cross Creek Drive to handle a SWAT standoff on Thursday, August 24, 2017.The same officer again spoke to the man as he began exiting the house about 30 minutes later, telling him repeatedly to “step backwards” until officers could reach him safely. Less than an hour later, officers holding rifles walked back to their cars.