GASTONIA, N.C. — A standoff that began Wednesday with gunfire ended with Conrad Pogorzelski, a notable figure in local politics, stepping outside in his bathrobe.
He was immediately swarmed by officers with their guns drawn.
"It's a little bit weird. I have never seen this much action in a small neighborhood like this before," said neighbor Robert Prakin.
Pogorzelski's family asked police to pick him up for a mental evaluation.
Officers said he refused to open the door, then fired three gunshots into the floor of his home. Police called for backup, blocked a busy Broad Street next to his house and told neighbors to evacuate for their safety.
"I don't know what to think really," Prakin said.
Pogorzelski is the former chairman of the local Republican Party and he sits on the board of elections. The director said he has served honorably.
Police said recently they have had problems with him.
"A couple of things have come up recently where we have had dealing with him at various place disturbances, things of that nature," said Capt. Steve Duncan with Gastonia Police Department.
Police said none of those disturbances were major until Wednesday, and they're thankful it ended peacefully after a SWAT drove up to Pogorzelski's house to toss him a communication device.
"We were have a little trouble communicating with him over his cellphone," Duncan said.
Sheriff Alan Cloninger, the county's top elected official and a friend of Pogorzelski, helped to persuade him to end the three-hour ordeal.
Pogorzelski is getting a mental evaluation.
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