Suspect arrested after barricade situation in Lithonia area

SWAT surrounds vacant daycare after woman calls 911

A 25-year-old man faces aggravated assault and weapons charges after barricading himself inside a vacant Lithonia daycare during an overnight SWAT standoff less than a mile from Lithonia High School.

DEKALB COUNTY, Ga. - DeKalb County police took a 25-year-old man into custody after he barricaded himself inside a home during an hourslong police response that began early this morning.

What we know:

Police were initially called to the area at about 1:16 a.m. for a reported assault. SWAT officers responded, and police evacuated nearby homes while giving Tavien Hartwell multiple opportunities to leave, according to the report.

Officers eventually forced their way into the home, causing significant damage. The police perimeter was taken down at about 10 a.m. Hartwell’s condition was not known.

Neighbor helped woman

What they're saying:

A neighbor, Mateo Lloyd, said a woman came to his door at about 1 a.m. asking for help because a man was trying to hurt her. 

Lloyd said he brought her into his garage, called police and later saw the man moving through the neighborhood.

Lloyd said he heard the man might have had at least two guns. 

Police confirmed Hartwell had guns on him, according to the report. 

Lloyd also heard a series of bangs as officers worked to take Hartwell into custody.

Hartwell faces charges including aggravated assault, battery, possession of a firearm and obstruction of justice.

Another Neighbor, Rachel Lewis, said she and her husband were jolted awake by the loud blasts.

"We just heard a big boom, and both of us jumped up out the bed ... The whole block was blocked off," Lewis said. "We didn't know what was going on. We just heard all the commotion, and we couldn't come out our house. We had to look through the windows."

Lewis said the home where Hartwell barricaded himself previously operated as a daycare center. The property had been vacant for about a year.

Suspect in custody after barricade in Lithonia area

A person was taken into custody Monday morning after a barricade standoff at a home on Victoria Place near Marble Road and Lithonia High School, DeKalb County police said.