Hostage Situation Resolved in Gadsden:
Officers in Gadsden yesterday responded to what started as a barricaded subject with a hostage call. The situation happened in the Carver Village community, a housing authority village located near Marvin’s Building Supply.
The response was initiated when the Veteran’s Crisis Hotline personnel contacted local law enforcement believing someone might be in danger. They had spoken with a man, who they believed was in mental distress. When responding officers arrived, they determined the individual was armed, and had a family member who was not being allowed to leave.
Tactical elements from the Joint Special Operations Group comprised of specially trained SWAT officers from the Gadsden Police Department, and Etowah County Sheriff’s Department were called out to respond along with the Crisis Negotiation Team. After some time, negotiators managed to convince the subject to allow the family member to exit the home unharmed.
Law Enforcement continued to work the scene for another 3 hours, before safely convincing the subject to come out, and turn himself over, to where he could be committed to get the help he needed.
It was a successful operation, with no civilians or officers injured, despite false rumors being spread on social media.
The Following Statement was later released on social media by the Gadsden Police Department:
“On the morning of February 11th, 2025, the Gadsden Police Department responded to a call from the Veterans Affairs Hotline regarding a man in mental distress. Officers were dispatched by Gadsden 911 in an effort to peacefully de-escalate the situation. However, the individual, who was armed, barricaded himself inside a residence with a family member and refused further communication, escalating the need for additional resources.
