Arthur Thompson

No injuries were reported after a tense standoff Thursday morning between Athens police and a man holding an infant who begged officers to shoot him, an official said.

Athens Police Capt. Trevor Harris said the department was called to a domestic incident at Oakview Apartments at 10:30 a.m. Harris said a woman claimed her boyfriend, Jarious Oneal Miller, 23, of Hillsboro, fired a shot at her as she fled to a neighbor’s car.

In their haste to get away, the driver backed into a parked vehicle and destroyed a tire after driving over a sidewalk curb. Harris said the driver and victim were able to get away and call the police.

Once officers arrived, they approached the residence and found a black male, identified as Arthur Earl Thompson of Lakeview Street, Athens, and a toddler sitting on the front porch. During questioning, Harris said Thompson was found to be in possession of a concealed pistol, which had been reported stolen in Decatur.

Harris said Thompson also lied to officers about the direction in which Miller, his brother, fled. The stolen pistol was taken as evidence and Thompson was taken into custody.

Athens Police Sgt. Katrina Flanagan was talking to the toddler when she looked up and saw Miller had opened the apartment’s front door and had pointed a handgun at officers. Flanagan was able to get the toddler to safety as Officers Bobby Hand, Neal Muse and Lt. Steve Moore approached.

Harris said the officers repeatedly ordered Miller to put the pistol down, and he eventually complied and put it on a nearby chair. He then retreated into the apartment and picked up an infant.

“The officers were locked in a standoff for several minutes as Miller repeatedly begged the officers to shoot him,” Harris said. “They were eventually able to convince Miller to surrender the infant. He was taken into custody without further incident. … Thankfully, there were no injuries this morning.”

Miller was charged with two counts of third-degree domestic violence, interference with a domestic violence emergency call and menacing.

Thompson was charged with fourth-degree receiving stolen property in relation to the firearm, carrying a concealed weapon without a permit and second-degree hindering prosecution.

After being booked at the Athens Police Department, the men were taken to the Limestone County Jail.