A suspect remains in custody following a weekend standoff in Pickens County, South Carolina, stemming from an incident at Pickens Baptist Church where the individual attempted to enter a secured area with children present.​
Incident Origin
Saturday’s events began when church security restrained the suspect, known to deputies from prior interactions. A family member alerted the Pickens County Sheriff’s Office about the suspect’s drug and mental health struggles, prompting a judge to issue a detention order for medical evaluation.​​
Standoff Details
Deputies tracked the suspect to a home on Hollingsworth Drive in Pickens, where he barricaded himself after initially fleeing inside with a woman. Initial concerns of a hostage situation eased after confirming the woman had left voluntarily; SWAT and SLED assisted overnight to de-escalate.​​
Resolution and Status
Sheriff Tommy Blankenship’s team took the suspect into custody Sunday morning via a brief physical encounter, with no weapons involved and only minor injuries reported. No formal charges have been announced as the investigation continues, prioritizing community safety and mental health considerations.
