A man from South Carolina was taken into custody after a confrontation where he kept a woman and three young kids, including an infant, captive for three hours on Wednesday night.
Gaffney Police mentioned that at around 8:30 p.m., a woman dialed 911 and then left the phone, WYFF stated. Dispatchers passed on the conversation they heard on the call to officers who responded, WHNS reported.
Police quickly discovered that the man, later identified as Ryan Anthony Lyles, was armed and making threats towards the woman and children.
Upon arriving at the scene, Lyles refused to exit or allow the others to leave, as per WYFF. The Gaffney Police called for a SWAT team and a hostage negotiator from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office.
The negotiator conversed with Lyles through the front window of the residence, and around 11:30 p.m., he permitted the victims to leave and was then taken into custody.
Authorities mentioned that Lyles had a history of domestic violence and weapon offenses.
During a bond hearing on Thursday, a representative from the solicitor’s office stated that at one point, Lyles aimed the gun at one of the hostages and tried to fire, but it malfunctioned, as per WHNS.
Lyles faces charges of domestic violence, three counts of kidnapping, and possession of a weapon during a violent crime. Bond was denied by a judge.
[Featured image: Ryan Anthony Lyles/Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office]