SWAT standoff sparked by man with ‘extremely realistic’ BB gun

Police say a lengthy standoff in Gaston County dragged out Wednesday afternoon because responding officers weren’t sure what a man would do with an “extremely realistic looking” BB gun.

The incident began around 4:00 p.m. on Jeran Lane in Gastonia. Gaston County police were called about a man who was driving drunk and dragging a person with his car. The man also displayed a gun to witnesses.

Responding officers saw a man break out the back window of a car and later raise a pistol and point it toward a wooded area. Later, the man moved between homes to where officers couldn’t see him.

The Gaston County Police Department’s Emergency Response Team was activated and conducted a search that ultimately located the man hiding in the damaged car.

Officers arrested Danny Andrew Bull Jr., 44, after a short standoff when he refused to come out of the car.

Investigators say the BB gun didn’t have the traditional orange end on the barrel. They’re unsure why Bull was in that part of town.

He’s charged with breaking and entering into a motor vehicle, assault and damage to property. Police haven’t provided information about the person who was reportedly dragged with the car.

This story was originally published January 27, 2016 at 10:25 PM with the headline "SWAT standoff sparked by man with ‘extremely realistic’ BB gun."