SHELBY, N.C. — Family members are thankful for the care and patience Shelby police gave during a standoff with their loved one who was in crisis.
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The suspect’s cousin said the police chief showed a tremendous amount of faith in him, and he believes that made a difference in the 12-hour standoff on Monday.
“I really appreciate his patience in that situation,” Tot Griffin said.
Shelby Police Chief Jeff Ledford peacefully arrested Griffin’s cousin, Shannon Portee.
Griffin, who is a mortician, believes he could have been working on his cousin’s funeral if police weren’t patient.
“I wasn’t going to let another one of my relatives die in vain,” Griffin said.
He said recent police shootings that have gained national attention have strained the trust between police and the Black community.
The Shelby Police Department called Griffin after they said Portee held two women at gunpoint at the cousin’s home.
Griffin said he saw SWAT and snipers with long rifles when he got to Portee’s home.
“I saw officers that really wanted to see this come to a peaceful outcome,” Griffin said.
The police let Griffin pray for his cousin at the police line.
But Griffin decided to do something risky on his own.
He walked to the front door, putting himself between the gun inside and the guns outside.
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“I just felt like that was the only way that (Portee) was going to understand,” Griffin said. “I love my cousin so much that I was willing to take that chance.”
Griffin went inside and said he could tell Portee was afraid and knew that he was in trouble.
“I told him it’s not going to go away,” Griffin said. “They are not going to leave this house.”
Griffin eventually walked out, and police let the cousin talk to his attorney by phone.
The two discussions were effective, and the standoff ended peacefully ended after 12 hours.
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Police let Griffin and the attorney stay there as they arrested Portee.
“All police are not bad,” he said.
Portee’s other family members thanked police after the standoff ended.
They want to give the chief a more formal thank you later.
(Watch the video below: Family continues search for Shelby man reported missing 6 years ago)
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