Hours-long Maury County standoff ends after man dies
A man opened fire on officers while they were escorting a woman to his home to retrieve her belongings.
COLUMBIA, Tenn. (WSMV) - A man involved in a standoff with Maury County authorities on Monday was found dead inside a home, police said.
Columbia Police said the man, 47-year-old Antonio Hardy, died at about 3:20 p.m. after Columbia officers entered the home. Hardy was found dead in a bedroom.
Columbia Assistant Chief of Police Jeremy Haywood said there were no obvious signs of trauma on Hardy. However, Haywood said, “there are signs on scene that suggest he took his own life.”
The stand-off began Monday around 7:30 a.m. after authorities were called to Hardy’s home to escort a woman to a home to get her belongings from a former male acquaintance who had previously been charged with assaulting her.
When police and the woman arrived, Hardy allegedly opened fire at the officers from the house, prompting officers to return fire and take defensive positions. Afterward, the man went back into his home and locked himself inside, according to police.
No injuries were reported in the exchange of gunfire.
Officers with the Columbia Police Department and Maury County Sheriff’s deputies attempted to negotiate with Hardy.
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