SWAT Standoff Ends When Gas Forces Man From House: Police

BUFORD, GA -- A SWAT standoff in Gwinnett County ended peacefully when a former military man was forced out of the house with gas, police said.

Christopher Osterloh, 36, of Dahlonega, was forced out of a house for sale, that he did not have permission to be in, when the Gwinnett SWAT Team deployed a chemical irritant into the house.

Gwinnett Police received a call shortly before 12:30 p.m. in reference to a suspicious person at 6617 Garrett Road in Buford. The homeowner said her home was for sale and she was notified that an unknown person appeared to be living in the house.

Officers responded and Osterloh fled out of sight into the home. It was confirmed that he did not live at the house or have permission to be there. Further research revealed that Osterloh was former military, and he was claiming to have weapons.

Officers treated this as a barricaded gunman and the SWAT team was activated. Negotiators were able to make contact with Osterloh, but he refused to come out. Eventually the SWAT team deployed a chemical irritant into the home. Osterloh surrendered shortly after the deployment. He was taken into custody peacefully and no one was injured. Osterloh was checked by medical personnel and then taken to the Gwinnett County Detention Center.