Standoff suspect identified
Published 12:00 am Friday, May 30, 2003
The suspect involved in a four-hour standoff in Opp Thursday afternoon has been identified.
Godfrey Garnett, 42 is currently in the Covington County Jail facing charges of reckless endangerment, manacing and resisting arrest stemming from Thursday's incident.
According to a news release from the Opp Police Department, at approximately 12:32 p.m. Thursday, Opp police officers responded to a residence on Hillcrest Drive in reference to an individual armed with a firearm who was threatening to commit suicide.
Upon arrival, officers were confronted by Garnett, who was located inside of a dog pen and was armed with a .22 caliber rifle. He was consuming beer throughout the incident, according to the release and appeared to be highly intoxicated.
Officers attempted to talk with Garnett, who stated that he intended to kill himself and on several occasions stuck the barrel of the rifle into his mouth.
Garnett taunted officers and repeatedly pointed the rifle at officers, and at one point discharged a round into the air.
Officers continued to negotiate with Garnett who refused to cooperate with officers, extending the situation to almost four hours.
At approximately 4:20 p.m., Garnett walked out of the dog pen with the rifle slung over his shoulder.
Officers rushed the individual and following a brief struggle, Garnett was disarmed and taken into custody.
Agencies assisting the Opp Police Department included the Covington County Sheriff's Department and the Covington County 22nd Judicial Circuit Drug Task Force.