A documentary star has been arrested by the police after he locked himself on a church in Atlanta. The standoff incident happened during the funeral service of his grandfather.
Curtis Ward, who starred on the 2011 movie drama, "Snow on tha Bluff", was reported to have barricaded himself within a bathroom at the Higher Ground Empowerment Center church, according to Chron. It is also where his 94-year-old grandfather's funeral was being held on Saturday.
Lukasz Sajdak, the spokesman for the Atlanta Police Department said that the standoff took three hours. It was said that Ward was distraught over the death of his grandfather. According to the pastor of the church, Dexter Johnson, Ward was visibly upset and was involved on an altercation with someone during the funeral, why the police responded, Daily Progress reported.
"Young people grieve differently. I don't think he was here to hurt anyone," Pastor Johnson added. The WSB TV also noted that the authorities were informed he has a weapon, however, police did not mention that they found any weapon during his arrest. Some of the streets were close down temporarily due to the standoff.
Linda Adams, one of the attendees of the funeral, tells her brief story on her experience. "As I was bending down to kiss her and say how sorry I was that's when she grabbed me and said 'Help my grandson. Do something for my grandson," Adams narrated.
She added that the SWAT response was overkill, however, she thinks it was to ensure their safety in case. In Snow on Tha Bluff, the titular character is depicted to be a drug dealer and professional robber,who juggles life throughout ATL's The Bluff neighborhood.
The film was not only subjected to several film festival awards, it also inspired nearby rap stars such as T.I., Gucci Mane, Killer and B.o.B to reference it in their material.
