STATESVILLE, N.C. — A road rage suspect is in custody after a standoff Wednesday afternoon, Statesville police said.
A woman, who had her juvenile daughter with her, told police she got into a road rage incident near Martin Luther King Jr. Park with another vehicle. She pulled up to the National Guard Armory and called 911 as the other vehicle followed her into the parking lot.
The suspect, later identified as 49-year-old Clifton Lamont Wellman, then got out of his vehicle, pulled out a handgun, and fired several rounds at the ground and in the direction of the woman’s vehicle.
One round struck the vehicle, according to police.
The mother and daughter were not injured in the incident, police said.
Wellman then fled the scene. His vehicle was later found parked next to a home on Fieldstone Circle.
They went to the home, but Wellman, whom the police assumed had a gun, didn’t open the door. So, the police set up a perimeter and tried to get him to come out.
Nearly 15 officers with guns drawn surrounded the home, Channel 9′s Dave Faherty reported at about 4:15 p.m.
Wellman’s mother was on a police bullhorn trying to get her son out.
Eventually, police apprehended Wellman without incident around 5:30 p.m.
He was taken to an area hospital to be evaluated, according to police.
Family members said he suffers from post-traumatic stress disorder and is a former military service member.
On Thursday, police announced that Wellman had been medically cleared from Iredell Memorial Hospital.
Wellman was later charged with felony discharging a weapon into occupied property, misdemeanor assault with a deadly weapon, and misdemeanor discharging a firearm within the city limit.
He is currently being held without bond at the Iredell County Detention Center.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
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