Suspect arrested after Durham police standoff

DURHAM (WTVD) -- Durham police were involved in an armed standoff early Tuesday morning as they searched for a suspect.

Officers were seen around 5:30 a.m. with their weapons drawn, surrounding an apartment building at Colonial Townhouse Apartments at 2920 Chapel Hill Road.

Police said when they approached the man, he ran into a bathroom. He told officers he had a gun and threatened suicide, according to authorities. Officers heard a shot but no one was injured.

The incident ended after 6 a.m. with the suspect's arrest after he eventually gave himself up.

The man, Julius Smoot, 29, was charged with possession of a firearm by a convicted felon and discharging a firearm within the city limits.

He was also served warrants for numerous counts including breaking and entering, failure to register as a sex offender, possession of stolen goods, and larceny of a motor vehicle.