All schools in Upshur County will close at 1 p.m. today. All B-UHS sporting events today are canceled.

Standoff with man threatening to harm himself shuts down part of downtown Buckhannon Saturday

BUCKHANNON – A man who was reportedly holding a knife to his throat and threatening to harm himself in the Jawbone Park area caused police to shut down a two-block area in downtown Buckhannon Saturday evening.

After a two-hour standoff that begin at approximately 6:45 p.m., the man eventually surrendered peacefully to law enforcement just prior to 9 p.m., Buckhannon Police Chief Matt Gregory said Monday.

Gregory said the situation began when the man flagged down Sgt. Tom Posy with the BPD, saying he needed help.

“He said he needed help and had a knife to his neck,” Gregory said Monday morning. “At one point, he had two knives out, which caused us to basically close down a two-block radius of downtown, including Trader’s Alley and South Florida Street, and throughways were shut down for two hours until he surrendered the knives.”

Gregory said after a two-hour negotiation, the man surrendered peacefully and requested that Upshur EMS transport him to United Hospital Center in Clarksburg.

Gregory said the BPD charged the man with brandishing a deadly weapon and obstructing, both misdemeanors, given the dangerousness of the situation and the fact that UHC treated and released him about 12 hours later, according the to West Virginia Regional Jail site.

“Because of the dangerousness of the situation, we did charge him with brandishing and obstructing,” he said. “Obviously, we had explored the mental hygiene route, but that didn’t pan out. He did go willingly to UHC but was released after being treated, so there is a continuing investigation and the charge was because of our concern for public safety – his safety, our safety, the general public’s safety.”

“Generally and globally speaking, there is the possibility of a court-ordered mental health or hygiene evaluation,” Gregory added. “It was an armed standoff with two knives at one point, and we needed to contain it and deal with it for public safety; there were a lot of people still downtown when it began.”

Share this story:

Local Businesses

RECENT Stories

Charles Wilson “Chuck” Canfield

Charles Wilson “Chuck” Canfield, beloved husband, father, and grandfather known for his kindness and humor, passed peacefully at home on April 5, 2025, leaving behind a devoted family and many friends.

Ella Margaret Moore

Ella Margaret Moore, a devoted Christian and active member of Reger United Methodist Church who leaves behind a large, loving family, passed away peacefully at age 91 in Buckhannon.

Post 7 to host recognize veterans Monday during Jr. Legion game, Sr. league team opens Area 2 Tournament on Tuesday

Buckhannon Post 7 will honor veterans during the Junior Legion team’s final home game Monday before the Senior League team begins Area 2 Tournament play Tuesday, following a challenging regular season.

Buckhannon City Council weighs options for spending $351,000 carryover

Buckhannon City Council will hold a special meeting July 15 to discuss how to allocate $351,000 of a $1.1 million budget carryover.

Buckhannon Sanitary Board Agenda: July 17, 2025

The Buckhannon Sanitary Board has released the agenda for its upcoming meeting on July 17, 2025.
Summer basketball

Summer league basketball wraps up week two

Week two of the Upshur County Summer Basketball League concluded with standout scoring performances and multiple games, including two forfeits by Country Roads Physical Therapy.

City council to review water board’s recommendation for new water treatment plant

The Buckhannon Water Board has recommended moving forward with a new water treatment plant and related infrastructure upgrades, sending a proposal to the city council for approval.

Gail Lovel Zickefoose

Gail L. Zickefoose, a dedicated educator, community leader, and beloved family man, passed away peacefully at age 83 after a long illness, leaving a legacy of service, kindness, and devotion to others.

Buckhannon City Council Agenda: July 15, 2025

The Buckhannon City Council released the agenda for its upcoming July 15, 2025, meeting.