Chillicothe standoff ends peacefully

Associated Press

CHILLICOTHE, Ohio

An almost 4-hour standoff between police and an Ohio man with a gun on Saturday morning has ended peacefully.

Multiple media outlets report that Chillicothe Police have arrested the man after he held them at bay since around 8 a.m.

The man’s wife said the two had a domestic dispute about “medical issues” and he threatened to burn their house down.

The woman was able to escape through the garage while a police hostage negotiator talked to the suspect.

Smoke was seen coming from the home after she had escaped.

Police told reporters that the suspect threatened to shoot his way out after setting the house on fire. He fired more than 10 shots into the neighborhood when police tried to move in.

The Ohio Highway Patrol’s emergency response team assisted police with two armored vehicles. Chillicothe Police Chief Roger Moore told reporters that officers were able to see through the smoke and fire using an imaging device. When they saw that the suspect was unarmed, police fired a “less lethal round” at him and were able to arrest him, Moore said.

Police said the suspect was under the influence of alcohol during the altercation.

The man faces charges of domestic violence or domestic menacing and inducing panic.

Public records show a Clifford Johnson living at the address of the standoff. Calls to the residence were not answered.