BLUEFIELD, W.Va. — A man who broke into a home and held a family at gunpoint is behind bars following a stand-off with police.
The Mercer County Sheriff’s Office confirmed Tuesday they responded to a shots fired call Monday afternoon at a Cove Branch Road residence. Upon arrival, deputies found Harry Smith Jr., 41 of Bluefield, pointing a gun at one of the victims.
Residents of the home later told deputies Smith broke into the home and held them at gunpoint. One victim fled when Smith was not looking and called 911 from a neighbor’s house.
Deputies quickly made verbal contact with Smith and started negotiating. He dropped the gun and surrendered about 30 minutes later.
In addition to the gun used during the stand-off police also recovered zip-ties, a club and a machete from Smith. He is facing several charges including brandishing, burglary, domestic assault, two counts of kidnapping and three counts of wanton endangerment.
He is being held at the Southern Regional Jail in Raleigh County without bond.