Armed police standoff erupts for fourth time this month in Augusta area
In the fourth armed standoff in the Augusta area this month, authorities used tear gas to roust a 58-year-old federal fugitive.
James Jackson had barricaded himself about 7 a.m. Tuesday in an Augusta home in the West End neighborhood on the 2000 block of Clark Street, two blocks off Broad Street between Wood Street and Westview Avenue, according to the Richmond County Sheriff's Office.
RCSO officers with the U.S. Marshals Service's Regional Fugitive Task Force tried to approach Jackson, who was wanted for federal probation violations "related to multiple narcotics and weapons possession charges," RCSO Chief of Staff Lewis Blanchard said. "Jackson also has a documented history of resisting and fleeing from law enforcement."
A Richmond County SWAT detail fired tear gas into the residence about 8 a.m., apprehending Jackson soon after.
Also arrested was Monica Rihm, 40, for an order to show cause regarding a narcotics-related probation violation, Blanchard added.
More details: What you need to know about fatal shooting of Columbia County deputy
Tuesday morning's armed encounter marked the fourth time in the past three weeks that armed people wanted in connection with area crimes chose to barricade themselves against approaching law enforcement.
On April 26, Columbia County Sheriff's Office Deputy Brandon Sikes died and CCSO Deputy Gavin White was critically injured in a standoff with James Blake Montgomery a man pulled over between exits 194 and 195 on Interstate 20 in a motorhome packed with explosives.
On April 24, Terrell Crawford surrendered peacefully to officers in the 1400 block of Hunter Street, near Beulah Grove Baptist Church. Crawford was wanted on five criminal charges and for a probation violation.
On April 13 in Aiken County, 24-year-old Dwayne Eduh of Covington killed himself after parking near the 32-mile marker on I-20, near the exit to Old Ninety Six Indian Trail. Authorities say Eduh was wanted in connection with a pair of fatal shootings in Newton County, east of Atlanta, in the early hours of April 11.
This article originally appeared on Augusta Chronicle: Authorities defuse fourth armed standoff in Augusta area this month