Man Arrested In Lee County Hostage Standoff

Harold Scruggs, 32
Source: Lee County Sheriff’s Department Website

*Press Release from the Lee County Sheriff’s Department: “On August 22, 2014, the Lee County Sheriff’s Deputies were dispatched to a disturbance involving a male suspect and a female victim.

Upon arrival, the deputies discovered a female bleeding from several injuries she sustained during a physical altercation. After talking to the victim, he was transported to NMMC. During the investigation and talking to witnesses, it was determined that the suspect named for this assault was Harold Mallette (Scruggs), also known as “Dee”.

Deputies were able to spot the suspect in the area close to the scene, but before they could apprehend him, he fled into a wooded area. The deputies were able to locate the suspect in a make-shift shop in a heavily wooded area where he was last seen. The suspect displayed a long rifle toward the deputies and fired at least one round.

The suspect made several threats toward the deputies and himself. The suspect then fled and was able to take cover in his residence, which was located on the same property as the shed. The suspect also stated he had a hostage and would use her as a human shield if needed.

The Lee County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team was called in and the Negotiator made several attempts to negotiate with the suspect. During the negotiations, the suspect continued to threaten deputies and the hostage. The suspect called 911 from a cell phone inside the residence and told the 911 Operator that he would hurt anyone that attempted to approach the house. Negotiations failed throughout the evening as the suspect continued to threaten harm to deputies, himself and his hostage.

Around 10 pm, the suspect fired one round from a weapon inside the home. Again, several more attempts were made to negotiate with the suspects. The suspect continued to threaten the hostage and deputies.

Once negotiations continued to fail, a decision was made to deploy tear gas inside the residence. Around 12:40 am, after the tear gas was deployed, the suspect, holding his hostage in front of him, attempted to exit a carport door. The Lee County Sheriff’s Department SWAT Team was able to rescue the hostage and take the suspect into custody. NMMC was on the scene throughout the ordeal and treated both the hostage and suspect for tear gas exposure.

The hostage victim was released to her family, and the suspect was taken to the Lee County Sheriff’s Department.”