Police release name,charges in standoff

GAINESVILLE - Police have released the name of the armed man who barricaded himself in a Gainesville motel room this Tuesday morning.

Police Corporal Joe Britte identified him as 31 year old Justin Talton of Gainesville.

"A warrant was taken out for a terroristic threat, reckless conduct and criminal damage to property," Britte said.

Talton was armed with a pistol and a shotgun, according to Britte, and refused to come out of a room at the Motel 6 off Athens Highway for over three hours.

At one point he did fire some shots, but no one was hurt.

Britte said investigators Tuesday evening remained unsure why Talton was so upset.

"We're just still unclear about it. He was distraught, and we were able to negotiate with him and he peacefully surrendered."

Britte said Talton had been employed as a bail bondsman or bounty hunter, but hadn't worked in that capacity for several years.

Authorities from several agencies assisted in the incident. Talton was first taken to Northeast Georgia Medical Center for evaluation, before being transported to the Hall County Jail.

According to the Hall County Sheriff's Department, Talton was still in the booking process at 5:45 p.m.