Suspect apprehended in standoff

Suspect apprehended in standoff

The Van Buren County Sheriff’s Department was able to negotiate with a man who had barricaded himself inside a home near the intersection of Deweese Road and Park Road on Wednesday morning, August 28. Steven Nicholas (Nick) Smith, 33, had allegedly assaulted a woman who fled to the nearby Fall Creek Falls Market for help and to call authorities, said Sheriff Michael Brock. Initially, Smith was thought to have a .22 pistol in his possession, noted the Sheriff.

“I’ve got a great CTI (Crisis Intervention Team) officer/instructor who negotiated with him and got him to surrender,” said Sheriff Brock.

The SWAT Team’s assistance was called off, he said, but other agencies including Park personnel, Tennessee Highway Patrol, and the District Attorney’s office assisted with the incident.

Smith faces an aggravated domestic assault charge, said Sheriff Brock, and other charges are pending. He is in custody at the Van Buren County Jail.