HARRIS COUNTY, Texas – A standoff with deputies from the Harris County Sheriff's Office ended peacefully at a motorcycle shop Friday.
The woman who owns the business said the man who caused the standoff would occasionally come by the shop and was known to many in the area.
"He was here to give us all tattoos for my birthday. He always wants to know where people are going, what people are doing," the woman, who asked not to be identified by name, said.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office reported they received a 911 call around 9:30 a.m. from a man who said he was being held against his will at the business at 811 Aldine Mail Route in north Harris County.
The call, which according to the Harris County Sheriffs Office was made by the suspect. turned out to be a rouse, but drew deputies to the scene.
Deputies said they tried to make contact with the man who had barricaded himself inside the business. Officials said the man fired multiple rounds from a pistol when they arrived to the scene.
"The officers on the scene heard what appeared to be gunfire. They pulled back a little bit, held perimeter," Sgt. Cedrick Collier said.
"He went into that office and shot that gun, supposedly," the shop's owner said.
The woman said that her employees quickly and safely left the business when they heard the shots.
The Harris County Sheriff's Office High Risk Operations Unit and Hostage Negotiation Team was sent to the scene. Authorities said they deployed tear gas into the business and the man surrendered. He was arrested without injury, according to the Sheriff's Office.
No employees or patrons were in the business during the five-hour standoff, according to deputies.
"He's not being charged right now. He will be evaluated," Collier said.
