Man Arrested After Hourslong Standoff in Coweta County

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

A 69-year-old man named Milton Morris Mason was arrested after an hourslong standoff with deputies at a home in Coweta County, Georgia. The incident began around 9:30 a.m. when someone called 911 to report that a resident was shooting at workers in an adjacent lot. Deputies tried to call the suspect out of the house, but he refused. The deputies set up a perimeter, called in the SWAT team, and obtained a search warrant. Around noon, Mason left the house and was taken into custody without further incident.

Why it matters

Standoffs between law enforcement and armed suspects can pose a significant risk to public safety, requiring a careful and measured response to de-escalate the situation and apprehend the suspect without violence. This incident highlights the challenges faced by law enforcement in dealing with potentially volatile situations involving firearms.

The details

According to the Coweta County Sheriff's Office, deputies responded to a home on Smith Circle in unincorporated Newnan after receiving a 911 call reporting that a resident was shooting at workers in an adjacent lot. The deputies tried to call the suspect out of the house, but he refused to comply. The deputies then set up a perimeter, called in the SWAT team, and obtained a search warrant. Around noon, the suspect, identified as 69-year-old Milton Morris Mason, left the house and was taken into custody without further incident.

• Around 9:30 a.m., deputies responded to the home on Smith Circle.
• Deputies tried to call the suspect out of the house, but he refused.
• Around noon, the suspect left the house and was taken into custody.

What’s next

The investigation into the incident is ongoing, and the Coweta County Sheriff's Office may provide additional details or updates as the case progresses.