On Thursday, Oct. 3, a Clay County Sheriff’s deputy was dispatched to a residence in the Snoozy Park area of Brasstown to conduct a civil standby. Many of these are performed annually without incident; however, this civil standby would be anything but typical.
Tommy James Anderson, 54, of Brasstown, was reported to have armed himself with a rifle and allegedly refused the home owner entry into her residence. The home owner reported that she heard a gunshot from within the residence and breaking glass. Anderson allegedly pointed the firearm at her before she called law enforcement, according to a press release from investigator Todd Wingate.
Wingate said once deputies were on scene Anderson refused to leave the residence and surrender to law enforcement. A standoff then ensued that lasted approximately three hours.
A perimeter was established around the residence to contain Anderson and prevent compromise of the community’s safety or involvement of neighboring properties.
The perimeter included a section of Old Highway 64 West which the N.C State Highway Patrol secured and detoured traffic in a safe route around the scene. A state Wildlife officer working in the same area also responded to support Clay County deputies. A negotiator from the Cherokee County Sheriff’s Office was called to the scene and able to affectively talk with Anderson over a loud speaker. Macon County Sheriff’s Office also sent a member of their SWAT team to the scene to evaluate and prepare for their response if needed, according to Wingate.
At approximately 4:50 p.m., Anderson came out of the residence unarmed and surrendered himself to law enforcement without incident. Anderson was initially charged with Misdemeanor Assault by Pointing a Gun and Felony possession of a Firearm by Convicted Felon.
Later that same night additional charges were entered for Anderson that included Felony Discharge of a Firearm to Incite Fear and Misdemeanor Resist, Delay and Obstruct.
Anderson was held without bond for 48 hours due to the incident being domestic violence related. By statute, domestic violence related charges require a 48-hour hold time before the defendant can have a bond set. Anderson has previous convictions in Clay and Cherokee County for felony drug charges dating back to 2000.