Man Involved In Hickory Standoff Now In Jail

The man charged in connection to a standoff earlier this week in Catawba County has been placed in jail. The incident happened Monday (February 16) on Springs Road. The Catawba County Sheriff’s Office says a deputy stopped a vehicle for reckless driving. According to police reports, when the deputy walked up, the driver reportedly pulled out a gun and told the deputy he wanted to be shot.

Authorities say the driver was Jose Guadalupe Orozco Lemus of Hickory (pictured). His age is listed as 43-years-old on jail records, he was reported to be 33-years-old initially. Lemus has been charged with going armed to the terror of people, resisting a public officer and reckless driving with wanton disregard.

The stop happened in a business parking lot on Springs Road, near Saint Stephens Fire Station One. More deputies arrived and set up a perimeter. The county’s Special Tactics and Response Team, along with Crisis Intervention officers, responded. Troopers with the Highway Patrol and officers from Hickory Police blocked Springs Road to protect the public.

Negotiators tried to talk with Lemus. An investigator who speaks Spanish also tried to communicate with him. Officials say the negotiations were not successful. The STAR Team used two armored vehicles to pin his car in place. They then used less-lethal rounds to get him to come out. Minutes later Lemus surrendered. Authorities say he was taken to a local hospital for a mental health evaluation.

He was jailed in the Catawba County Detention Facility Thursday (February 19) under $25,000 bond. A District Court date is scheduled for March 2.

Story; Rob Eastwood-WHKY