Hostage Situation Quelled in Van Zandt County

CANTON — A man is in custody in Van Zandt County following a hostage incident. According to a news release, the Van Zandt County Sheriff�s Office received a 911 call Friday from County Road 2151 in the Wynn Community near Canton. The caller told 911 operators that his father, 40-year-old Johnny Ray Harris, had pointed a firearm at him and threatened to shoot him, subsequently forcing him out of the residence. Officials say deputies arrived at the location a short time later and determined that Harris, who was reported to be armed with a handgun, was inside the residence and refused to come out. According to authorities, tactical officers from the Sheriff�s Office and Canton Police Department were dispatched to the residence and determined that the suspect was holding a female hostage inside the home.

Trained hostage negotiators with the Sheriff�s Office were able to establish communications with the suspect and were able to get him to peacefully surrender without further incident, according to officials. Harris was transported to the Van Zandt County Justice Center, where he was booked in on criminal charges. The Van Zandt County Criminal District Attorney�s Office and the Van Zandt County Precinct 2 Constables Office assisted officers during the incident.

The Van Zandt County Sheriff�s Office and the Canton Police Department recently conducted a 60-hour Basic S.W.A.T. training course in Canton, with sixteen local officers receiving the free training. �This is exactly the way local law enforcement is expected to work together,� stated Van Zandt County Sheriff�s Office Chief Deputy Michael Bates.