By KALIN KROHE
Panhandle Post
According to a news report, a young man armed with a knife threatened to use it on himself outside the Dawes County Courthouse in Chadron on Tuesday afternoon. The standoff lasted for about 2 hours and ended without injuries.
Social media reports suggested that the young man had a gun, but he was only armed with a knife.
Sheriff Karl Dailey talked to the young man from a bench opposite him on a courthouse windowsill for most of the standoff.
The young man grew agitated briefly a few times and spoke with his mother from a distance, but generally remained calm. He took off his shirt at one point and handed over the knife when Sheriff Dailey returned his shirt.
Dailey and Deputy Lee Sayloune then accompanied him into the courthouse.
The incident “came to a very happy and satisfactory conclusion,” according to the sheriff.
Traffic around the courthouse was blocked.
The City of Chadron and Chadron Police Dispatch Center sent out a text alert asking residents to stay away from the area and to use alternative routes to pick up students from the public schools.
Those in the courtroom for district court motion day with Judge Travis O'Gorman were told to use the west entrance to leave, but the proceedings continued as normal since the standoff posed no threat to them.
The young man will likely be kept under observation for 3 days, which is standard procedure in such incidents.
The Nebraska State Patrol, Chadron Police Department and Dawes County Sheriff's Office assisted with this incident.