GEORGETOWN, S.C. —

A man who held officers at bay for nearly 10 hours is being held at the Georgetown County jail on $50,000 bail.

After holding police at bay while he was barricaded inside his home for nearly 10 hours, Sean Roy Johnson was arrested as he tried to run in the dark of night early Thursday.

He was arrested on Wachesaw Road, not far from the Goude Street home.

According to Sheriff’s Office spokesman Neil Johnson — no relation — negotiators spent more than nine-and-a-half hours trying to talk Sean Johnson into surrendering peacefully.

At around midnight, he fled from the rear of the residence but was quickly caught between the first and secondary perimeters that had been set up in the neighborhood, Neil Johnson said.

“At the time of the capture, Johnson was not armed and he was taken into custody without incident.  No one was injured during the incident,” he said.

The ordeal began at about 2 p.m. Wednesday as a call about an altercation between a man and his girlfriend at the home at 4357 Goude Street.

The woman called 911 and said Johnson pointed a handgun at her.  She told dispatchers she was able to get away from the residence and Johnson was waiting for sheriff’s deputies on the front porch.

Because they were told Johnson was armed, deputies made a tactical approach to the residence to find that he was not on the front porch.  

“At this point, sheriff’s deputies set up a perimeter around the residence, blocked off Goude Street and waited for the Georgetown County Sheriff’s Office SWAT Team and Negotiators,” Neil Johnson said.

At about 5 p.m. Wednesday, crews from Santee Cooper arrived to disconnect the electricity to the home.

Reporters and spectators were allowed to stand across the road from the neighborhood where the man’s house is located but, at about 7 p.m., everyone was told they would have to leave that area so access to the scene was no longer available.

Neighbors who had been forced from their Goude Street homes by law enforcement while the standoff took place described Johnson as a nice man.

“He came over and helped us set up our TV,” recalled James Mills who returned from a doctor’s appointment only to find he was not allowed into his home. “We talked occasionally.”

However, one woman who said she is a friend of Johnson’s girlfriend, said he has a very bad temper.

Before reporters were removed from the scene, a deputy arrived carrying what appeared to be a rifle.

Residents who live on Goude Street have been allowed back in their homes. Goude Street was blocked off while the standoff took place.

 Johnson is charged with Criminal Domestic Violence High and Aggravated for pointing a handgun at his live in girlfriend. He is currently being held at the Georgetown County Detention Center awaiting a bond hearing.

By Scott Harper

sharper@gtowntimes.com