BESSEMER CITY, N.C. – A father held his two-year-old son hostage in a camper after assaulting and strangulating his wife before being arrested, according to a news release.
The release states that on June 3, 2024 at 9:30 a.m., Bessemer City Police responded to a call about a woman screaming for help on E Hartford Avenue, near West Virginia Avenue. After arriving on the scene, police say they found a woman who claimed her husband assaulted her with a metal pipe, attempted to suffocate her and left with their two-year-old son.
Officers discovered the husband, identified as 46-year-old Benjamin Clemmer, barricaded himself inside a camper that was behind the residence and the release claims that Clemmer threatened to kill his son, the officers and himself, while also claiming he had a gun and pipe bomb.
Gaston County Police Department hostage negotiators arrived and were able to get Clemmer to release his son just before 11:00 a.m. The release says that Clemmer stayed in the camper and continued to threaten the officers and threatening to kill himself.
Tear gas was deployed and officers successfully took Clemmer into custody and was transported to a medical center to treat injuries sustained during an attempt to commit suicide, as said in the release.
Clemmer is being charged with kidnapping, assault with a deadly weapon and strangulation. No harm was done to the child and he was reunited with his mother.
“Their swift actions and professional conduct were instrumental in resolving this dangerous situation without further harm. We are grateful for their dedication and service.” said Chief Ellis, praising the officers and negotiators handling the situation.
