A man is in custody after a barricading himself inside a home on Sandy Pines Lanes in Southern Pines on Friday evening.
Video/Sandhills Sentinel.
Just before 4:30 p.m., officers from the Southern Pines Police Department responded to a residence in the Sandy Pines Mobile Home Park located off Camp Easter Road for a welfare check on a subject who was threatening to harm himself, said Southern Pines Police Department in a news release. Officers responded to the same residence earlier in the day for a disturbance complaint concerning a person attempting to retrieve their property.
When officers arrived on scene, they encountered 36-year-old Michael Buchalla, who fled from officers into a mobile home he resides in. Officers continuously attempted to persuade Buchalla to come outside. During those negotiations, Buchalla fired a weapon at officers from inside the mobile home.
Officers block Sandy Pines Lane on Sept. 2 during a standoff in Southern Pines/Sandhills Sentinel.
The Southern Pines Police Department Special Response Team and Crisis Negotiations Team responded to the scene. Mutual aid assistance was requested from the Moore County Sheriff’s Office who responded with their Special Response Team. The Aberdeen Police Department and the Lee County Sheriff’s Office also responded to assist during this incident.
At one point during negotiations, Buchalla exited the mobile home with an assault rifle and took an aggressive posture with officers. At that time, less-lethal munitions were deployed to subdue Buchalla, which had no effect. Buchalla retreated back into the mobile home for at least another hour which led to additional negotiations.
The Richmond County Sheriff’s Office responded to the incident with an armored vehicle which was used to breach the mobile home and deploy chemical munitions. Buchalla then exited the mobile home and was taken into custody. No law enforcement officers were injured during this incident.
Following the incident, investigators from the Southern Pines Police Department conducted a search at the mobile home where 24 firearms were seized. After a medical evaluation, Buchalla was charged with assault with a deadly weapon with intent to kill, possession of a firearm by a felon and resist, delay and obstruct a public officer. Buchalla was remanded to the Moore County Detention Center under a $100,000 secured bond.
Contributed.
