Bond was set at $75,000 yesterday for Thomas A. Black, 43, of Strong, who was arrested Wednesday after a three-hour long standoff with Union County Sheriff’s officers.

On Wednesday, UCSO officers responded to reports of a disturbance with a weapon at Strong City Park. The first officer to arrive found members of Black’s family gathered in the park, located across the street from Black’s mother’s home. Black was inside the home at the time.

Black’s mother told police he is mentally ill and had been using narcotics. While she was speaking with the officer, Black left the residence and began yelling at those family members gathered at the park. When an officer gave him several commands to come towards him, Black went back inside the residence before reappearing, this time with a shotgun.

Shortly after pulling the gun, back-up law enforcement officers arrived. After arriving on scene, Union County Sheriff Ricky Roberts spoke with Black on the phone. During the hours-long standoff, Roberts lost contact with Black and the decision was made to send in the SWAT Team to take Black into custody.

After gaining entrance into the home, SWAT members discovered Black passed out on the floor. During his arrest, officers conducted a search of Black’s person, discovering a bag containing what appeared to be methamphetamine and a metal tube commonly used to consume meth.

The shotgun Black brandished was discovered lying on the floor next to him. The gun was fully loaded and found next to a bag containing numerous unused shotgun rounds.

Witnesses at the scene told police the disturbance began when Black’s mother could not find her purse and confronted him about its location. Other family members came to the residence to help Black’s mother, at which point Black began threatening them with the shotgun.

“We’re just thankful that nobody got hurt and that it was resolved in a peaceful manner,” Roberts said.

Black is facing charges of aggravated assault, possession of a firearm by certain persons, possession of methamphetamine and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Caitlan Butler can be reached at 870-862-6611 or [email protected]