Children Escape After Dangerous, Armed SWAT Situation: Police

LAWRENCEVILLE, GA — A woman and four children escaped injury Tuesday night during a SWAT standoff between an armed man and police during a domestic dispute shortly after midnight, according to the Gwinnett County Police Department.

Rashan Ellis, 39, of Lawrenceville was transported to the Gwinnett County Jail and charged with aggravated assault, cruelty to children in the third degree and two counts of false imprisonment.

When Gwinnett Police responded to the 3100 block of Glenloch Place in unincorporated Lawrenceville, they saw the victim and two children run out of the house. Ellis immediately slammed the front door. Officers were given information that Ellis had a firearm in the house and two other children were inside with him. Officers were able to contact the Ellis and speak with him briefly about the situation but he refused to come out of the house.

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SWAT was activated and negotiators spoke with the Ellis. Police said no threats were made against the children still inside the house. A search warrant and arrest warrant were ultimately obtained.

At 4:16 a.m. Ellis came outside the house and peacefully surrendered to officers. The children who were inside the house were found safe. Officers cleared the house and no other dangers were found.

Photo courtesy Gwinnett County Police Department