Executive Summary
- Alexander Kaufmann, 43, was arrested in Monroe, N.C., after a standoff with police.
- The suspect allegedly threatened a victim with a gun before barricading himself inside an apartment.
- Police deployed a Special Response Team and chemical agents to end the standoff safely.
- Kaufmann faces charges including possession of a firearm by a felon and assault by pointing a gun.
MONROE, N.C. — A convicted felon was taken into custody late Saturday night following a protracted standoff with law enforcement officers in Monroe, North Carolina, according to the Monroe Police Department.
Officers initially responded to a reported disturbance in the 200 block of Houston Street. Upon arrival, police identified the suspect as 43-year-old Alexander Kaufmann. Authorities allege that Kaufmann pointed a firearm at another individual and threatened to kill him if he contacted law enforcement. The Monroe Police Department confirmed that the victim managed to escape the premises prior to the arrival of officers.
According to police reports, Kaufmann, who was identified as a convicted felon and believed to be armed, barricaded himself inside the apartment. He reportedly refused commands to exit and made verbal threats indicating he would harm officers and would not surrender peacefully. In response to the elevated threat level, the department activated its Hostage Negotiation Team and Special Response Team (SRT).
Following an extended period of unsuccessful negotiations, SRT operators deployed chemical agents into the residence to force a resolution. Shortly after the deployment of gas, Kaufmann surrendered without further incident and was taken into custody. Chief Bolen of the Monroe Police Department stated that officers utilized established protocols to resolve the situation, prioritizing the safety of the suspect, officers, and the public.
Arrest records indicate that Kaufmann was booked into the Union County Detention Center under a $10,000 bond. He faces multiple charges, including possession of a firearm by a felon, assault by pointing a gun, simple assault, and communicating threats.
Tactical Resolution and Legal Context
The utilization of specialized tactical units and non-lethal chemical agents underscores the procedural emphasis on de-escalation in barricaded suspect situations involving firearms. By deploying gas after negotiations stalled, law enforcement aimed to neutralize the threat without the use of lethal force, a standard operating procedure in high-risk standoffs. As the case moves to the judicial phase, prosecutors will likely focus on the recidivism implied by the possession of a firearm by a convicted felon, a charge that often carries significant sentencing weight under state and federal law. It is important to note that Alexander Kaufmann is presumed innocent of all charges until proven guilty in a court of law.
