LEXINGTON, Ky. (LEX 18)– Police have taken Derek Garten into custody after he barricaded himself in Bryan Station Inn for seven hours.
He was wanted as a suspect in the murder of of 39-year-old Margaret Elizabeth Smith.
In a press conference, officials confirmed they had been at the motel since around 3:30 a.m. and had been negotiating with the suspect via phone since 7 a.m.
They added that his family and Captain Chris Quire, who grew up with Garten, came to try and help police get him out.
Garten eventually tossed his gun(s) out of the motel room window and was taken into custody.
"We are so happy that he came out alive, that he walked out and did the right thing. Everything he has posted for the last few days has been the very opposite of that," said Franklin County Sheriff Pat Melton.
Garten posted on Facebook early Friday morning, saying "this is the end of the road for me today."
He added that he "shot Meg and would do it again. She was evil."
Garten is facing multiple charges, including murder, tampering with physical evidence, and terroristic threatening.
No was injured during the incident.
