Germantown standoff ends peacefully, suspect charged with false imprisonment — Crime scene investigation - File Photo.

GERMANTOWN, Md. — A standoff involving a 49-year-old man armed with a butcher knife ended peacefully on Sunday morning after police negotiated his surrender outside a Silvergate Way apartment complex, authorities said.

Marques Buford was arrested and charged with false imprisonment following the incident, during which he allegedly refused to let his wife leave their residence and made threats against police if they attempted to intervene, according to the Montgomery County Department of Police.

Officers responded to the scene around 7:19 a.m. after receiving a call from Buford’s wife. When officers arrived, they found Buford outside the apartment wearing multiple layers of clothing and a paintball mask, armed with a large knife. Attempts to use less-lethal force were unsuccessful due to his protective attire.

The department’s Emergency Response Team and SWAT were deployed, and a trained police negotiator worked to de-escalate the situation. Buford was ultimately apprehended without injury after attempting to flee.

He was transported to a local hospital for evaluation before being taken to the Montgomery County Central Processing Unit, where he remains held without bond.

A potentially volatile standoff in Germantown concluded safely thanks to the efforts of police negotiators and emergency responders.

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