FLORENCE-According to the Florence Police Department, a man in East Florence was hospitalized for mental evaluation after a two hour standoff. Florence Police responded to the 100 block of South Weakley Street shortly after 8pm Sunday night to a reported suicidal person. The man, who’s name is not being released at this time, had told family members that he wished to harm himself and others and he was armed. Police located the man, armed with a hunting rifle, in a wooded area near his home. The man refused to comply with police demands to drop his weapon then fled into a nearby home. After speaking with crisis negotiators for nearly two hours the man surrendered and was transported to ECM Hospital for mental evaluation. No injuries were reported to the suspect or police. Florence Police K9 and SWAT teams responded to assist.
