Early this morning around 2 am, DeKalb County Deputies and Fort Payne Police Officers attempted to serve a felony warrant at a residence in the 300 Block of 9th Street in Fort Payne.  

While deputies and officers were at the residence, the subject told them he was going to get his firearm and kill them all. He then barricaded himself inside the residence.

At that point, the Special Response Team (SRT) was contacted. The team was already executing a search warrant in the North End of the county.

Upon arrival, the team urged the suspect to come out, but he refused. The team deployed two tear gas canisters. After a short time, the suspect continued to fail to comply and exit the residence. The team then breached the door, and took the suspect into custody without further incident.

Anthony “Snake” Townson (63 of Fort Payne) was charged with a Felony Probation Violation for Unlawful Manufacturing of a Controlled Substance and Resisting Arrest.

DeKalb County Sheriff Nick Welden said of the incident: “I want to thank the brave deputies and officers that serve on our SRT. Without their specialized training and dedication, situations such as this might end differently.”

“We’re thankful for this situation to be resolved with no injuries to law enforcement or the suspect. We will not take threats to our law enforcement officers lightly. Threats of violence will not deter us from doing our duty,” said the Sheriff.

“God Bless,” Sheriff Welden concluded.