Courtesy photo /PORT ORANGE -- A 57-year-old man who allegedly threatened adult family members with an axe before barricading himself in a bedroom with a knife, was taken into custody after Port Orange police stormed the house on Hawks Ridge Road, an agency spokesman said.
Police responded to a 9-1-1 call at 11:45 a.m. to the residence about a domestic situation involving a man armed with a knife. After a police negotiator was unable to get the man to surrender on his own and nearby residents were safely evacuated, the police department's emergency response team -- similar to SWAT-- stormed the house at 749 Hawks Ridge Road just after 4 p.m. Elbert Hale was taken into custody without further incident.
Hale was charged with aggravated domestic battery and transported to the Volusia County Branch Jail in Daytona Beach.
Here is a synopsis of what happened as described by Asst. Police Chief Wayne Miller: "(Hale) barricaded himself inside a bedroom after an altercation with his sister, Janet Hale-Bowers, also a resident of this address. In addition, E. Hale resides at this location with his adult brother, Douglas Hale. Initial investigation indicates (Saturday) evening and earlier today, Elbert Hale and his sister were arguing. At one point, Elbert Hale threatened his sister while holding and axe. Hale-Bowers and D. Hale were able to remove the axe from E. Hale. There were no injuries. Hale-Bowers indicated she was going to call 9-1-1 regarding the assault. E. Hale became upset and then armed himself with a knife from the kitchen. E. Hale then responded to his bedroom and locked the door. Hale-Bowers and D. Hale exited the residence and contacted the police."