Man in Custody after Standoff in Burke County

The Burke County Sheriff's Office says 30 year old Chris Hicks is in custody after an hours-long standoff that began at 7:30 p.m. Sunday in the 300 block of Poole Melton Road.

Investigators say it started with a domestic disturbance involving Hicks' 30 year old girlfriend.  She told deputies he had allegedly choked her until she was nearly unconscious, then placed a firearm in her mouth and threatened to kill her.  She said she was finally able to get away and called 911.

Deputies attempted to make contact with Hicks in the home, but he did not respond initially.  Deputies were told Hicks was armed with multiple weapons and night vision devices.

Members of the Special Response Team entered the home just after 1:00 a.m. utilizing the team's armored vehicle to safely deliver members to the door.  They used a small room clearing robot to help with the search due to propane tanks that had been strategically placed in the home.

Hicks was found in a bedroom with another propane tank and firearms.  He was taken into custody without incident and charged with aggravated assault and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime.