Woodstock Man Who Held Girlfriend Hostage At Gunpoint Sentenced: DA

CANTON, GA — A Woodstock man was recently sentenced to prison after pleading guilty to holding his girlfriend hostage at gunpoint in an Alta Ridgewalk apartment, Cherokee prosecutors said Thursday.

Prosecutors on April 25 negotiated a guilty plea deal with William Scott Kirk, 35, according to Cherokee County District Attorney Susan K. Treadaway's office.

Kirk engaged in a verbal dispute that turned physical with his then-girlfriend on May 20, 2024 at the Woodstock apartment, prosecutors said. When the girlfriend left to get help from friends, prosecutors said she later returned to retrieve her dog and belongings.

With a propped door open, prosecutors said the friends waited on the girlfriend outside of the apartment. They saw Kirk retrieve a handgun, pull the girlfriend into the living room and keep her from leaving by closing and locking the door, prosecutors said.

Hearing their friend's screams, the friends notified authorities, prosecutors said.

The situation led to an hours-long SWAT standoff, with Kirk refusing to communicate with hostage negotiators, prosecutors said.

SWAT eventually entered the home and arrested Kirk; the girlfriend was safe, prosecutors said. Authorities later found five guns in the apartment, prosecutors said.

“We are grateful for the swift and coordinated response of our law enforcement agencies that ensured the victim’s safe rescue and protected our community as a whole," Treadaway said in a news release.

Kirk pled guilty to family violence aggravated assault, false imprisonment, possession of a firearm during the commission of a felony and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon during the commission of a felony, prosecutors said.

He was sentenced to 35 years, with the first 10 years to be served in prison and the remainder on probation. Special conditions include no contact with the girlfriend, participation in a family violence intervention program and evaluation and treatment for mental health and substance abuse, prosecutors said.

“This case is a stark reminder of the danger victims of domestic violence face, especially when firearms are involved,” said Assistant District Attorney Macelyne A. Williams, of the Domestic Violence Unit, who prosecuted the case. “This victim survived a frightening ordeal, and I commend her strength and bravery.”