Columbia Police end Negotiations with Man Peacefully

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COLUMBIA, SC (WOLO)– UPDATE: Negotiations with a Columbia man have ended peacefully after nearly 19 hours. Columbia Police had been outside a home on Farmview street since Thursday afternoon. “This is the way we love for these types of situations to end,” said Deputy Chief M.J. Kelly, Columbia Police Department. Officials said on Thursday evening around 5pm they were called to a home on Farmview Street to do a welfare check after a family member called concerned. “We came here and initially made contact with the gentleman that lives here and he ran inside the house,” explained Kelly. “There was not any sight of a weapon but there was a mention of weapons being present and some mental health issues.” Authorities said out of an abundance of caution they blocked off area roads and remained on the scene throughout the night to communicate with the man and ensure he was safe. “We had indication he was in the residence alone so there was no rush to get inside, we kind of let him set the tone and get to a peaceful resolution,” said Kelly. Officials did not release the man’s identity but said he’s a veteran, possibly in his 50’s or 60’s with no criminal history. One neighbor who wished to keep her identity unknown described him as an ideal neighbor. “He’s always the person who is out here trying to help everybody in the neighborhood,” she said. “He comes out and cuts everybody’s grass, he’s a really nice man.” At the end of it all. negotiations led to a peaceful resolution with no violence. “We didn’t use any force, just conversation in convincing the gentleman to come outside and go with us to the hospital,” described Kelly. The man was taken to a local hospital for a medical evaluation. Officials said no crime was committed, they do not expect charges to be filed.