Wednesday Morning Standoff in Etowah County Ends Peacefully / UPDATED

What could’ve been a deadly situation, very fortunately came to a peaceful resolution in the parking lot of the Rainbow City Publix Wednesday morning.

According to reports, just before 10:00am a man armed with a shotgun fired two blasts into the air and began shouting for someone to call the police. 

A number of law enforcement agencies converged on the area – clearing away bystanders at the corner of Alabama 77 and U.S. 411 before attempting to communicate with the gunman, who was later identified as 43 year old Seth Hugh Roland.

Authorities say Roland appeared to be suffering from “mental issues” and “hearing voices” – and had apparently intended to end his life.  It was revealed that a note was found in his car at the scene, although police did not clarify whether he intended to kill himself or die by the method known as “suicide by cop” – forcing law enforcement to shoot him.

After speaking with negotiators for almost an hour Roland finally surrendered peacefully at  around 11:00am and was immediately taken to an area hospital.

Etowah County Sheriff Todd Entrekin states members of the Gadsden, Rainbow City, Attalla and Southside police departments all took part in the operation, along with members of the Etowah County Joint Special Operations Group and the Alabama Law Enforcement Agency.

(al.com/www.al.com)

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