A Beckley man was jailed after State Police say he brandished a 9 mm pistol outside a Cabell Heights residence during an hourlong standoff Thursday. Russell Timothy Gross, 44, was charged with brandishing and two counts of being a person prohibited from possessing a firearm, Trooper R.A. Daniel said. He was not allowed to have firearms because he had been convicted of domestic assault and had been involuntarily committed to a state psychiatric facility in the past. He was being held at Southern Regional Jail. At 5:51 p.m., police received a call that Gross had a gun and was making threats to kill himself, Daniel said. Daniel arrived at 377 Cabell Heights Road, where Gross exited with a 9 mm pistol pointed at Daniel. Daniel drew his service gun and Gross then put his pistol to his head, asking Daniel to shoot him, the trooper said. Several other troopers and Raleigh County sheriff's deputies descended on the scene, securing the area, Daniel said. Lt. Steve Tanner, chief of detectives for the sheriff's department, began negotiations with Gross. Meanwhile, Daniel and Trooper J.L. Howell entered the residence's rear door and reached a spot where they could see Gross at the front. Then when Gross had the pistol placed in his front waistband, Daniel grabbed Gross, taking him off the front steps and securing him and the pistol on the ground. Two others were inside the house when the call was phoned to police, but they managed to exit before the standoff began, Daniel said. Gross discussed some issues with police as to why he started the standoff, but Daniel did not elaborate. He needs to have a psychological evaluation at the earliest convenience, Daniel said.
By Amelia Pridemore .-mail:apridemore@register-herald.com http://www.register-herald.com/local/x519063137/
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