MANNING, S.C. — A man barricaded in the ceiling of a gas station bathroom has been arrested on outstanding warrants after a two-hour standoff, Manning Police say.
According to Manning Police Lt. Sean Briley, the incident began around 8 a.m. when an officer noticed a man who was wanted on outstanding felony warrants at Murphy USA gas station in front of Walmart on Paxville Highway.
However, Briley said that when the officer went to make contact, the suspect went to a bathroom outside of the convenience store and locked himself inside.
Because of past behavior involving the suspect, police were concerned he may have been armed and backed away from the door while attempting to call him out.
When that didn't work, police called in the Clarendon County Special Response Team and a negotiator. During the incident, the main and side entrance roads to the nearby Walmart were shut down - though all other stores remained open.
With attempts to get the suspect to leave the store still unsuccessful, Lt. Briley said the team got a key and soon used a gas canister in an attempt to flush him out. This was also unsuccessful forcing officers to go into the bathroom when the gas had dissipated.
They soon found the suspect, identified as Aaron King, who had gained access to the ceiling by removing tiles. He was taken into custody a short time later. Officers said they also found a BB gun.
In all, Lt. Briley said it took about two hours to get the suspect out of the locked bathroom. He added that King could face additional charges from the incident on top of a general session court bench warrant for felony gun and drug charges he already had. Probation and parole warrant charges could also follow.
