CRAMERTON, N.C. — Police said a man who was barricaded inside a senior living facility in Cramerton presumably fired shots at officers when they arrived at the scene.
He was taken into custody and later, the charges were vacated, authorities said.
"As initial responding officers approached to investigate the incident, they heard sounds consistent with gunfire coming from the apartment in question," Cramerton police later said in a news release.
Dozens of officers and a SWAT team responded to the Mayworth School Apartments on 8th Avenue Tuesday morning.
[PHOTOS: Police respond to shots fired call at senior living facility in Gaston County]
The facility is right next door to the First Baptist Church of Cramerton and the Rader Staff Development Center.
Channel 9 could see several students with the Gaston County Virtual Academy walking through the parking lot in a line. School officials said they were at the Rader Center for orientation.
Police said the children were moved to a gym nearby where parents could pick them up. They were also working with the school to coordinate buses.
"There (were) cops and helicopters, and they were armed all in armor, and they had guns and everything," student Julia Arcia said.
"I absolutely was terrified ‘cause you hear about it on TV and now your child is part of it. It's very terrifying," parent Gerda Arcia said.
About 30 to 40 residents at the senior living facility were evacuated from the building.
Some students saw the senior citizens being evacuated, and that's when the situation became real for them.
"It got kind of scary when I saw the old folks from the apartment crying. That was kind of scary," student Hannah Glance said.
Police said they initially responded to a shots-fired call at an apartment, and when officers arrived, they heard a sound consistent with a gunshot.
"Anyone with a weapon with the ability to pull the trigger can be dangerous and deadly," said Chief Joe Ramey of the Gaston County Police Department.
No officers were hurt.
Police said they've responded to that same apartment three other times in the past for mental health disturbance calls.
"We know that in the past they were able to take weapons from him. So, that is part of the investigation as to where this weapon that he had today came from," Ramey said.
Police said the man went to the hospital for a mental evaluation
Officers had 8th Avenue shut down for the investigation and were asking people to avoid the area. The road has since reopened.
The Town of Cramerton released the following statement:
"Cramerton PD has reported that the ongoing situation at Mayworth Apartments has been safely resolved. The suspect has been taken into custody without incident. Residents are currently returning to their homes at the Mayworth Apartments safely. Eighth Avenue is being cleared of law enforcement and emergency services and will be open within the next 30 minutes or less.
"Thank you to the Cramerton Police Department and all of the law enforcement and emergency service departments (County PD, Sheriff, Belmont PD, EMT, Cramerton FD, and several more) who were instrumental in de-escalating this situation and coming to a safe resolution without incident. The citizens of Cramerton and Gaston County are grateful for your continuing and dedicated service."
Check back for updates on this developing story.
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