From staff reports

PARKERSBURG — A Parkersburg man was taken into custody Thursday after reportedly barricading himself in a closet.

At approximately 10:40 a.m., officers with the Parkersburg Police Department responded to a residence in the 700 block of 30th Street in an effort to serve two felony arrest warrants on Cody Ray Slaughter, 36, of Parkersburg, according to a press release from Parkersburg Police Chief Matthew Board.

Officers began searching the residence for Slaughter.

“During the search, he was located hiding in a bedroom closet,” Board said in the release. “When ordered to exit, Slaughter refused and stated that he was armed with a firearm. Officers attempted to negotiate his surrender; however, he did not comply.”

A perimeter was established and the area secured. The Parkersburg Police Department’s Crisis Negotiation and SWAT teams responded to the scene. Negotiators made multiple attempts over the course of more than two hours to establish communication with Slaughter but were unsuccessful.

SWAT personnel then deployed “non-lethal tactical methods” to begin taking Slaughter into custody.

“After approximately 40 minutes, SWAT team members made entry into the room where Slaughter had barricaded himself and safely took him into custody,” Board said in his statement.

The warrants that brought police to the residence included a capias for failure to appear in court on a prior charge of convicted felon in possession of a firearm, as well as a warrant for possession of a controlled substance with intent to deliver.

Slaughter is currently being held on the outstanding warrants.

A search warrant is being executed at the residence, and additional charges are anticipated, according to the release.

“He is presently undergoing medical clearance at a local hospital prior to incarceration,” Board said in the release. “Upon release, he will be transported to the Wood County Holding Facility to await arraignment in Wood County Magistrate Court.”

The Parkersburg Police Department thanked the Wood County Sheriff’s Department for their assistance during this incident.

“Strong cooperation among local law enforcement agencies enhances the safety of both officers and the community,” Board said in the release.