Crime & Safety
Machete-Wielding Man Arrested At Columbia Bank Hostage Scene
A nine-hour stand-off at a Columbia bank ended with the arrest of a man police say held hostages with a machete.
COLUMBIA, TN — After nine hours, a man bearing a machete surrendered to police after a stand-off at a Columbia Bank Friday afternoon.
At 2:30 p.m., the man walked into the Community First Bank and police say he held nine hostages as SWAT teams and snipers surrounded the building.
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As crowds gathered — some bringing lawn chairs and picnic dinners — Columbia Police, Maury County Sheriff's Deputies, the Tennessee Highway Patrol and medical personnel took up position.
One-by-one, the 53-year-old man, who has not been identified, released the hostages to cheers from onlookers in the early evening. None of them were hurt.
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Eventually, the man gave himself up around 11:30 p.m.. Police have not said how they convinced him to give up nor what his motive was.
Image via Shutterstock
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