James Traywick

Three Limestone County deputies helped defuse a suicide threat early Thursday in the Cartwright community off Alabama 99, an official said.

Deputy Justin Smith, Capt. Guy Simmons and Chief Deputy Fred Sloss spent about two hours — between 2 and 4 a.m. — trying to reason with James Matthew Traywick, 34, of 22315 Buttermilk Way, Athens, who had been trying to break into his mother-in-law’s home before authorities were called.

“The caller indicated that the intruder was Traywick, that he seemed intoxicated by alcohol or drugs, or both, and he had damaged a door attempting to get in,” said Deputy Stephen Young, public information officer for the Sheriff’s Office.

When deputies arrived, Traywick was on the screened porch behind the house pointing a small-caliber handgun at his head and threatening suicide, Young said.

When Traywick accidentally discharged the gun into the ground and the gun fell to the ground, deputies were able to safely apprehend him. Traywick did not indicate during the confrontation that he intended to hurt anyone other than himself, Young said.

Sheriff Mike Blakely, who was also on scene during the standoff, said, “I was impressed with the professional manner in which our deputies handled the situation. Any time you can resolve a potentially dangerous confrontation peacefully, it’s a success.”

Traywick is charged with attempted burglary and third-degree criminal mischief.

He remained in the Limestone County Jail Thursday afternoon with bail set at $5,750.