FLORENCE, Ky. -- A domestic dispute between a mother and adult son evolved into a police standoff lasting more than nine hours on Saturday into Sunday, officials from Boone County say. The standoff ended just after 9 a.m. Sunday after police used a "chemical irritant" to draw out the suspect.
According to Major Tom Scheben, police arrived at the home on Hazel Drive in Florence at around 11:30 p.m. Saturday. SWAT team, fire and EMS are all present. All nearby residents were evacuated from their homes.
Police introduced a powder-form chemical irritant which induces coughing. Cunningham came out of his room shortly after. @WCPO
— Kristen Swilley (@KristenSwilley) January 24, 2016
The subject, identified as 33-year-old Brett Cunningham, barricaded himself in his bedroom, Scheben said, and police communicated via bullhorn.
Cunningham said he was armed, threatened to harm deputies and said "he won't come out alive," Scheben said.
The subject's mother was escorted out of the home safely hours before Cunningham surrendered.
In a press release, the Boone County Sheriff's Office said Cunningham was taken to St. Elizabeth Hospital in Florence for a psychological evaluation and he will like face criminal charges.
