A Damascus man is in custody following a lengthy standoff that stretched into the early morning hours Tuesday.
According to Montgomery County Police, the incident began around 7:15 p.m. Monday, December 29, when Montgomery County Sheriff’s deputies responded to the 26000 block of Mullinix Road to serve multiple felony arrest warrants on 28-year-old Brandon Lee Clayton. Police shared via e-mail that a booking photo was not available for Clayton.
Police say deputies had previously attempted to serve a court order at the same address on December 27. During that earlier encounter, Clayton allegedly refused to comply and threatened to set the home on fire. Deputies and responding Montgomery County Police 5th District officers left the scene at that time and planned to return.
When deputies returned Monday evening, Clayton reportedly barricaded himself inside the residence and again threatened to burn it down. Officers said he attempted to ignite items inside the home, prompting a large police response.
Montgomery County Police SWAT officers and crisis negotiators were called in to assist. During the standoff, Clayton’s mother remained inside the home and initially refused to cooperate with officers or leave the residence, despite repeated requests from police. After several hours of negotiations, she eventually exited the home safely.
Police say Clayton surrendered moments later. The standoff lasted approximately five and a half hours and ended around 1:42 a.m. Tuesday. Clayton was taken into custody and transported to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he is being held pending a bond hearing.
