Murder Suspect Charles Johnson Nabbed In Clayton SWAT Standoff

CLAYTON COUNTY, Ga. -- A man wanted on murder charges out of Florida was arrested in a SWAT standoff in Clayton County on Monday moing.

The suspect, Charles Johnson, was nabbed after he holed himself up in an apartment complex on Riverdale Road, police said.

The incident started with an argument between Johnson and his brother, Clayton County police spokesman Eddie Soto said. The argument then moved to the Marquis Cove apartment complex, where Johnson locked himself in a woman’s apartment, Soto said.

The woman, who identified herself only as Tasha, told Channel 2’s Amanda Cook that Johnson asked to come inside to use the phone. Her sister told Cook they had met earlier in the night. Tasha said she didn’t feel threatened, but the situation escalated when officers arrived.

Cook was the first reporter on the scene as around two dozen police officers surrounded the area. Soto said Johnson was barricaded in the apartment with Tasha and five children. Police weren’t sure if he had a weapon, but Tasha said he was unarmed.

Neighbors were evacuated as hostage negotiators spoke to Johnson. Around 8 a.m., he was talked down and exited the apartment with the five children. No one was harmed, police said.

Johnson was then arrested. He was wanted on first-degree murder charges out of Florida.