A man who fired shots inside and outside his house while threatening to take his own life was arrested after a two-hour standoff with Lumpkin County Sheriff's Office deputies.
Sheriff Stacey Jarrard said the incident unfolded Wednesday evening at a residence on Pilgrim Road.
"We had a 911 call somewhere around 7 p.m. last night and it was in reference to shots being fired at this location - inside the residence and outside the residence," Jarrard said.
The sheriff, along with six deputies, arrived at the scene to find a 47-year-old man, identified as Michael Eugene Morgan, who was intoxicated and upset over the loss of a loved one several months ago. Jarrard said Morgan kept going inside and outside of the house, brandishing a weapon.
"[We were] trying to get him to relinquish the weapon that he kept pointing at himself threatening to take his own life. He also was wanting us to take his life," Jarrard said.
Jarrard said there were two or three adult females inside the residence with Morgan at the time of the standoff. One of the women stayed inside the house of her own volition, while the others left.
Jarrard said neighbors in the area were warned to stay inside their homes while the standoff was in progress.
Eventually, deputies used non-lethal beanbag rounds and a taser to disarm Morgan and take him into custody.
Jarrard said he was thankful the incident ended with no injuries.
"I am thankful that it ended without anyone getting critically hurt," Jarrard said. "I hate it for this man with the situation that he was in with his depression, his mental status...I'm thankful it ended the way it did."
Morgan remained in jail at last report on charges of felony obstruction and aggravated assault on an officer, according to Jarrard.
