SANDY SPRINGS, Ga. — The standoff where police, SWAT, and federal agents were on the scene of a after a gunman was reportedly barricaded in a Sandy Springs apartment has ended.
U.S. Marshals said the man, 39-year-old Gary Anthony Creek, of Baltimore, is dead from a self-inflicted gunshot. Sandy Springs Police tweeted that three hostages were also released safely.
Sandy Springs Police Sgt. Salvador Ortega said the U.S. Marshals Office was serving an arrest warrant and were fired at while attempting to make an arrest -- prompting Sandy Springs to activate the SWAT team. The suspect then barricaded himself in the apartment. Ortega said the Crisis Negotiations Team attempted to make contact with the suspect
Police said they didn't initially know if anyone else is was inside, so they handled it as a possible hostage situation. Police later said three people - a woman, a 2-year-old, and a 6-year-old - were released and not hurt.
Eric Heinz with the U.S. Marshals Office said the warrant being served was one for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF) out of Baltimore. Deputy Van Grady of the U.S. Marshals later confirmed Creek was wanted as a suspect for murder and firearms violations in Maryland.
The suspect was tied to the "Triple C" gang in Baltimore, Heinz said.
Earlier this week, 15 members and associates of that gang were indicted related to their participation in drug distribution and/or racketeering conspiracies, including 18 murders and 27 attempted murders.
The standoff took place at the ARIUM at Morgan Falls apartment complex off Spring Creek Lane. Management sent a letter to residents urging them to "shelter in place." They said any resident who wasn't home should avoid returning to the complex until further notice.
In a statement to 11Alive, the management company said: “The safety and wellbeing of our residents is our top priority and we are extremely grateful to the Sandy Springs Police Department and U.S. Marshal Service for maintaining their safety, and that of everyone within the vicinity."
On Monday, ATF Baltimore tweeted photos of Creek saying a $10,000 reward was being offered for information leading to his arrest. They claimed Creek, the "alleged Triple C gang founder," was charged in conspiracy responsible for more than 40 murders and attempted murders in Baltimore. In an update on Tuesday, they said they were thankful the victims are safe and that no one else was harmed.