Standoff at hospital is settled peacefully

By Carey Phillips

Andrew Lawrence Smathers, 23, of Little Rock Circle, Sylva, is facing several charges as a result of the incident. Prior to appearing in court, Smathers has been taken to Broughton Hospital in Morganton, a state mental facility, Sylva Police Chief Jeff Jamison said.

The original call to law enforcement, which came in at about 8:42 p.m., reported a man talking on the pay phone outside the emergency room bleeding from a cut to his wrist and refusing treatment.

"Upon arrival, I found a man talking on the phone with a handgun in his pocket," Jamison said. "It turned into a standoff. He wouldn't turn over the weapon and was threatening suicide."

Jamison said the hospital was secured with no one allowed to enter or exit.

"Fortunately, we didn't have any emergencies," Jamison said.

After about an hour, Smathers' employer, roofer Bill Melton, arrived and talked Smathers into surrendering, according to Jamison.

Charges against Smathers include assault on a law enforcement officer with a deadly weapon, obstructing a health care facility, disorderly conduct, carrying a concealed weapon and drunk and disruptive.

The Jackson County Sheriff's Department assisted with the incident.

Back to Archive: 06/13/02.