ALEXANDER COUNTY, NC — A 67-year-old man is facing multiple charges after reportedly shooting at officers during a nearly eight hour standoff Saturday morning.
Authorities with the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office and Hickory Police Department responded to the Bethlehem Community home of Ralph Aldridge around midnight on December 6th. Officials say the call was in reference to involuntary commitment papers being filed in Hickory after he allegedly threatened to carry out a shooting at Frye Hospital.
When they arrived, Aldridge reportedly told officers to come up to his home and they would talk. When they started to approach however, officials say he fired a weapon.
Aldridge fired several rounds throughout the night, according to a release, and continued making threats towards the officers. At one point, he reportedly called the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office Communications and threatened to blow the head off anyone who came to his door.
Around 3am, tear gas was fired into several locations around the home but officials say Aldridge refused to surrender.
Authorities eventually forced their way into the home’s basement around 7:30am, at which point officials say Aldridge opened his garage door and surrendered.
Officials say no one was injured during the incident.
During a search of the home, officials say a shotgun, rifle, revolver, and several rounds of ammunition were seized. Officers say they also located an undisclosed amount of marijuana.
Aldridge is now charged with seven counts each of Assault on a Government Officials with a Deadly Weapon, Communicating Threats, and Attempted Murder on Law Enforcement Officers. Officials say the investigation is ongoing, and additional charges for drug possession are expected.
He is being held on a $6 million bond.
