Standoff at Comfort Suites ends peacefully

After 45 minutes of negotiations with a man threatening to kill himself, Laurel County Sheriff’s deputies were able to talk him into surrendering to authorities.

Public Affairs Officer Gilbert Acciardo said the man’s family call 911 about 1:30 p.m. Wednesday, explaining he was in a room at Comfort Suites in North Corbin, possibly armed with a handgun.

Sheriff John Root and five of his deputies responded the scene, clearing the neighboring rooms and beginning negotiations with the man.

"Deputy Tim Smallwood actually did the talking," Acciardo said. "All of the deputies are training in hostage negotiations. We knew he didn’t have a hostage, but it is a similar situation."

Smallwood said the man was having relationship problems with his girlfriend.

"You just try to give them someone to talk to and be able to relate to them," Smallwood said.

When the man surrendered, Acciardo said he was not armed, but appeared to be intoxicated.

He was transported to Cumberland River Comprehensive Care for evaluation.

 Because of the nature of the incident, Acciardo said the man’s name is not being released.