A 3 1/2-hour stand-off in Effie ended Sunday afternoon when Avoyelles Parish deputies tear-gassed a man who claimed to have an assault rifle and threatened to kill his mother and stepfather in the house and any deputy who came near the home.

   Christopher Dobson, 25, of 291 Effie Riding Club Road in Centerpoint, was arrested by APSO deputies on July 19 after it was determined the hostages had barricaded themselves in the bedroom of their home on Effie Riding Club Road. It was also determined that Dobson had no firearm but had armed himself with a knife, Sheriff Doug Anderson said.

   The 911 Center received a call about 12:40 p.m. on Sunday, Anderson said. Dobson is believed to have made the call,  in which he claimed to have an assault rifle and threatened to harm his mother and stepfather, as well as deputies who responded, the sheriff added.

  Deputies deployed around the house while an end to the hostage situation was negotiated. The victims had barricaded themselves in a bedroom in an attempt to avoid injury by Dobson.

   Dobson appeared to be drunk and agitated, disregarding attempts by deputies to communicate with him. 

  To end the situation, a “chemical irritant” was deployed into the house, which led to Dobson surrendering to deputies. His mother and stepfather were released unharmed.

   Dobson was allegedly despondent over the recent break up with his girlfriend and apparently had consumed a large quantity of alcohol, Anderson said.

   “I am very happy that this ended as well as it did,” Anderson said after the incident ended. “This scenario may not have played out as well if it wasn’t for the excellent work of those deputies on the scene.”

   Dobson was arrested and booked into APSO Detention Center#1 in Marksville under $40,000 bond on charges of 2nd-degree kidnapping, criminal mischief, simple assault, disturbing the peace and resisting an officer. His bond is set at $40,000.