Man in custody after SWAT standoff in Woodstock

Woodstock SWAT standoff: Suspect in custody

A multi-agency SWAT team apprehended an armed, intoxicated man at a Woodstock automotive shop following a domestic dispute and hours-long standoff that paralyzed Highway 92.

WOODSTOCK, Ga. - A man is in custody following an hours-long standoff in Woodstock that began as a domestic dispute, according to police.

What we know:

The SWAT standoff took place Thursday afternoon in a busy commercial area on Highway 92 near Interstate 575. The activity focused on an auto repair shop located near a Caribou Coffee and Chipotle.

Police stated the incident was connected to a domestic dispute that originated in Holly Springs. Holly Springs officials alerted Woodstock police to the dispute around 1 a.m. Officers were searching for Michael Warren Johnson, who was wanted on a felony warrant for possession of a firearm by a convicted felon out of Cherokee County.

Woodstock police arrest man after standoff

Woodstock police have arrested Michael Warren Johnson following a domestic dispute and standoff with a firearm near SR-92 and I-575. Police speak on the warrant served and arrest in a media conference.

Dig deeper:

The Holly Springs Police Department informed Woodstock authorities that Johnson was at his business, located at 9504 Highway 92, and was believed to be armed.

Police attempted to contact Johnson after spotting him at the business, but he refused to exit the building. Around 9:15 a.m. Thursday, authorities reported that Johnson began threatening to harm himself and law enforcement officers.

A search warrant for the business was obtained around 1 p.m. At 1:52 p.m., SWAT teams entered the building and took Johnson into custody without further incident.

Authorities said Johnson was intoxicated during his arrest and willing to comply with officers. 

SKYFOX 5 flew over the scene as the standoff concluded. Johnson was transported from the scene via ambulance for evaluation due to his intoxication, police said. 

Local perspective:

The massive response included the Woodstock Police Department, Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office, Georgia State Patrol, Cherokee Marshals Office, Holly Springs Police Department, Woodstock Fire Department, and Cherokee Fire and Emergency Services.

Hwy 92 was shut down for about an hour, police said. 

What they're saying:

There are numerous businesses in the area. Many people stood in the parking lots to see what was going on. 

"It's like a train wreck. You can't look away. No one could get in or out," said Stephanie Pendlington, who owns a business nearby. 

"They were on the speaker saying, this is the police department. You are under arrest. Please come out," said Pendlington.

"I watched the robot dog walk his way in there after they broke down the door," said a man named Mitchell who was riding his bike in the area. 

"We saw the team of people go in and come out with him, just kind of hunched over. It was just really scary," said Audrey Ditirro, who works across the street. 

What we don't know:

Police have not released details regarding the nature of the initial domestic disturbance or whether any shots were fired during the standoff.