NEWBERRY, S.C. — A hostage situation at the Vocational Rehabilitation Center in Newberry is now over.
Newberry Police and Deputies say the suspect, 41-year-old Ricky Bernard Brown, was taken into custody Wednesday afternoon, and that there are no injuries. Newberry Police Chief Roy McClurkin said the incident is contained.
Bernard has been charged with five counts of kidnapping, possession of a weapon during a violent crime, possession of a weapon by a convicted felon, discharging a firearm within the city limits, pointing and presenting a firearm and resisting arrest while armed with a deadly weapon.
Earlier, Foster said the situation began around 1 p.m. at the center, which is located beside the hospital in town on Evans Street.
Officers were advised while in route to the scene that Brown had fired a round into the building's ceiling.
The building was evacuated, but the armed suspect and one hostage remained inside for well over an hour. Foster confirmed shots were fired during the incident, but no on was hurt.
Once officers arrived on scene, two of the employees were able to exit through a rear door. Officer secured the building and set up a perimeter and began to negotiate with Brown. During the negotiations, two other employees were able to exit the building.
SLED's SWAT team along with the Newberry County Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) were able to take Brown into custody.
Police chief Roy McClurkin said the SWAT team did not fire any shots, but brown filed multiple shots during the incident. McClurkin said that Brown has an extensive criminal record that goes back many years.
"I'm thankful that none of the hostages were injured during the incident," he said, "I appreciate the assistance of the Newberry County Sheriff's Office and the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division."
Because of the situation, Evans Street was closed, but has since reopened.