TOP PHOTO: The 700 block of East Hemlock Street is no longer blocked off and is safe to travel, according to La Follette Chief of Police Steve Wallen.

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Following negotiations that broke off with La Follette Police, a La Follette man is being treated at the La Follette Medical Center Wed. afternoon after barricading himself inside his east side home, 706 East Hemlock Street.

“We had been communicating with him, and then we quit getting any response. Technical ops with the Blount County Sheriff’s Office brought drones to the scene at our request, and they were able to send a drone through a window inside the home. We soon determined that it was safe enough for us to make entry, and we did,” said LPD Lt. Matthew Forsyth.

The lieutenant said the suspect appeared to have overdosed. CPR was performed by first responders with La Follette Fire and Campbell County EMS, and then the man was transported to the La Follette Medical Center. One first responder said to WLAF that there were a lot of needles near the suspect.

This is a look at the home where a man barricaded himself on Wednesday afternoon.

“We’re very pleased with the results. Very blessed,” said Forsyth.

The nearly two hour ordeal ended just before 3pm. “I got a great team,” said LPD Chief Steve Wallen, who was also on the scene. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/02/2023-3PM)

Below is the original story published and aired over WLAF in the early stages of the stand off:

For the last hour, negotiators with La Follette Police have been talking with a man who has barricaded himself inside his east La Follette home. The unidentified man is in a green house at 706 East Hemlock Street; he has been there since just before 1pm Wednesday.

Chief Steve Wallen is stationed at the top of the 700 block of East Hemlock Street.

“He’s by himself inside the home, and he is suicidal,” said LPD Lt. Matthew Forsyth. The Lieutenant said everyone from Chief Steve Wallen to the SWAT team to patrol officers, have the area sealed off. “He’s talking with us, and I’m hoping we can resolve this peacefully,” said Forsyth.

An LPD officer is positioned at the back of the home.

Campbell County EMS and La Follette Fire and first responders are staged outside the 700 block of East Hemlock Street that is sealed off by the LPD.

This is a file photo of the home where a man has barricaded himself, 706 East Hemlock Street.

(WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 08/02/2023-2PM)

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