A violent domestic assault call on Sunday morning at 1431 Dry Creek Rd. turned into a barricaded standoff between Jerry Allen French, 53, and Cheatham deputies. French allegedly assaulted his long-time girlfriend with a weapon who called 911 asking for help.
French warned the first arriving deputy that he would kill law enforcement if they tried to intervene. The girlfriend was able to flee the residence during deputies arrival.
Cheatham’s multi-agency SWAT team along with negotiators arrived and attempted to talk French into peacefully surrendering. French was armed with three long guns, continually threatening to shoot himself. While brandishing a rifle, he told negotiators he wasn’t going to jail.
After three hours of negotiation, French stepped back from the front door of the residence and shot himself in the chest. He then walked outside collapsing in the yard. SWAT members immediately began first aid while an ambulance standing by was summoned.
French was stabilized before being transported to Vanderbilt hospital.
No other injuries were reported during the standoff.