Man arrested in PTC hostage situation

A 33-year-old Peachtree City man was arrested Sunday afternoon after he held a female hostage inside their home on Flat Creek Court, police said.

Eric Stephen King surrendered peacefully at 3:30 p.m. on Feb. 24, more than eight hours after police were first summoned to the residence at Flat Creek Villas on a report that he had struck the victim several times, police said.

King interfered with the woman’s attempt to call 911 and prevented her from leaving the residence, police said.

Police also learned that King had several firearms including an assault rifle, shotgun, multiple handguns and a significant amount of ammunition, police said. Because of the threat, surrounding neighbors were asked to temporarily leave the area, police said.

The police department’s Special Response Team responded to the scene and crisis negotiators were able to convince King to surrender, police said.

King is charged with felony counts of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon, false imprisonment and possession of a firearm during the commission of a crime. He also is charged with battery (family violence) and obstruction of a 911 call.