Man Armed With Assault Rifle Arrested Following Standoff

Robert-Wayne-Wachter-FIA western Johnston County man armed with an assault rifle was arrested after a tense standoff with Johnston County deputies Friday night.

Around 8:45pm, officers were called to a home on Ridge Road near the Johnston-Harnett County line after 33 year-old Robert Wayne Wachter allegedly fired several rounds into his own home.

Officers were able to evacuate his girlfriend and three children who were inside the home to safety.

Wachter who was in his own back yard armed with an AR-15 surrendered to lawmen about an hour later.

Sheriff’s Captain Jeff Caldwell said Wachter never made threats to law enforcement officers and never fired his weapon while deputies were on the scene. He was charged with discharging a firearm into occupied property, a felony.

Two 9mm handguns, two rifles, ammunition and magazines were seized from the suspect. Authorities are still trying to determine a motive for the incident.