A nearly four-hour standoff between law enforcement and a man barricaded in a vehicle in Pinehurst ended in suicide on Friday afternoon.
“During a traffic stop on July 1, along highway 15/501, the Pinehurst Police Department attempted to serve warrants for multiple felonies to a 52-year-old male residing in Pinehurst,” said the Village of Pinehurst in a press release.
The man told the police he had a gun. Residents were evacuated from the area, and Highway 15-501 was closed. Officials attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender that started in the morning and ended in the afternoon.
“After more than three hours of negotiations, the individual delivered a single self-inflicted gunshot,” said the Village of Pinehurst. “Moore County EMS declared the individual deceased at the scene.”
“This situation had an unfortunate ending,” said Chief of Police and on-scene commander Glen Webb. “The Pinehurst officers and assisting agencies showed extreme professionalism under pressure. We are thankful there were no further injuries to the public and our officers remained safe. No shots were fired from Pinehurst Police or any other law enforcement agency.”
Officials did not release the man’s identity or why he was being served warrants.
Pinehurst Fire Department, Eastwood Fire Department, Moore County EMS, Southern Pines Police Department, Moore County Sheriff’s Office, N.C. Highway Patrol, and Richmond County Sheriff’s Office assisted the scene.
Photos by Sandhills Sentinel Reporter Patrick Priest.