Man apprehended after standoff in Alexander

Chanceler Timothy Johnson

Authorities have arrested a man after a standoff this morning.

On Wednesday, April 16, 2025, at approximately 3:00 a.m., the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office responded to a possible domestic disturbance on Lail Lane, in the Bethlehem Community. Upon arrival, deputies made contact with a woman and a child who exited the residence. A man remained inside and barricaded himself, prompting a standoff situation, said Alexander County Sheriff Chad Pennell.

Additional law enforcement personnel were dispatched to the scene to assist. After approximately two and a half hours, at around 5:30 a.m., deputies successfully apprehended the suspect, identified as Chanceler Timothy Johnson, W/M, a 25-year-old from Taylorsville.

Johnson was found to have two outstanding indictments for Second Degree Murder issued out of Catawba County, according to Sheriff Pennell. The NC Courts website shows two counts of Felony Elude Arrest in Motor Vehicle Causing Death against Johnson. The Hickory Daily Record reports that those charges stemmed from the deaths of a mother and son from Hickory in a 2023 crash involving a Hickory Police officer who was pursuing Johnson.

Following his arrest, investigators determined that Johnson had caused significant damage to both a vehicle and the interior of the residence, Pennell said. During the incident, Johnson sustained injuries while damaging the vehicle and was transported to Frye Regional Medical Center for treatment.

Following medical evaluation, Johnson was released into the custody of the Hickory Police Department. Charges are forthcoming in Alexander County for damage to personal property and for resisting, obstructing, and delaying a public officer.

Sheriff Pennell said the Alexander County Sheriff’s Office would like to extend its appreciation to the Taylorsville Police Department and Alexander County EMS for their assistance in this incident.