BELMONT, N.C. — Belmont police have arrested a man after asking people to remain indoors as they responded to a threat on the Catawba River.
Police issued the alert around 1:10 p.m. as they resolved an incident on the water. Police reported later Monday afternoon that a man was in custody.
The threat had been contained to the river between Catawba Cove Drive, The Conservancy, and Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden, police said.
Chopper 9 Skyzoom was over the scene and saw police presence on the river. The police presence was reported to be contained within the area in the map below.
Officials told Channel 9’s Ken Lemon that the man had considered harming himself. The man had a rifle while on a boat in an area with many homes, private and public docks, and trails.
Law enforcement told Lemon they were concerned someone would get hurt, so those nearby received a mobile alert about the threat.
Lemon spotted a boat drifting on Boy Scout Island. There, a man in a baseball cap was at the wheel. He kept his head down as officers watched him from the shore.
A police helicopter and drones kept an eye on the scene from the air while officers staged with their own rifles on the shore.
The Gaston SWAT team mobilized its command center. Residents said the presence was hard to miss in the quiet community.
“It’s scary,” said neighbor Jackie Pendleton. “This neighborhood is very quiet and family-oriented. There are a lot of children here. I walk the trail almost every day. It’s very concerning.”
Pendleton told Lemon that she had run errands today, but otherwise would have been in the area as the man rode by.
Police told Lemon that the man gave up and rode back to the dock to turn himself in. He is headed to Charlotte to speak with the police.
No additional details have been made available.
This is a developing story. Check back with wsoctv.com for updates.
WATCH: Northeast Charlotte home targeted after fatal drive-by shooting
©2025 Cox Media Group
/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/LH3JSJEF3VBLRJLJQESEAG34AM.png)
