One man has been arrested following a standoff with the Richmond County Sheriff’s Office on Tuesday, April 22.
Mason Meeks, 33, was wanted on one felony warrant and five misdemeanor warrants and now has additional charges pending following the standoff.
The situation began at approximately 2:30 p.m. when the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office was searching for a wanted subject in the 1900 block of Wylie Drive. He was located and CCSO contacted RCSO due to the location being in Richmond County, said RCSO Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard.
The RCSO Crime Suppression Team responded and identified Meeks as the suspect. He was in the yard and in possession of a handgun. When deputies approached, Meeks ran to the residence and deputies noticed again that he was armed, but he never raised or pointed the weapon toward law enforcement, Blanchard said.
Because there were two females inside the house and due to the circumstances, the RCSO SWAT Team was called to the scene and arrived at approximately 3:15 p.m.
“Out of an abundance of caution, nearby homes, observers, and businesses were evacuated or relocated to safe areas,” Blanchard said. “We are especially grateful to Dick Smith Auto Sales for opening their business to provide air-conditioned shelter for several elderly residents, and to the many members of the community who offered water and support to the deputies on scene.”
The SWAT command, working with RCSO negotiators, attempted to establish direct contact with Meeks. Law enforcement also reached out to his parents hoping peacefully end the situation, Blanchard said. Direct communication was not made, but negotiators communicated through the public address system.
The two females exited the residence without incident at 3:37 p.m., Blanchard said. The RCSO robot was deployed at 3:47 p.m. and successfully breached a side door. Meeks was given more opportunities to surrender, and at 3:58 p.m. he came out of the residence with his hands in the air and complied with law enforcement commands. He was taken into custody without incident.
RCSO Sheriff Eugene Brantley commended the work of all involved, including the Augusta-Richmond County Fire Department, Central EMS, and the 911 Dispatch Team .
“This is what it’s all about—when a community comes together,” Brantley said.
