RUFFIN, N.C. – Rockingham County Sheriff’s deputies are negotiating with a man who has barricaded himself inside a Ruffin home.

The standoff on Deodara Lane in Ruffin, N.C. started shortly before 8 am Wednesday when sheriff’s deputies went to a house to talk with with 37-year-old Joseph Irving regarding misdemeanor warrants. When deputies went to the door, they say Irving came to the window with a weapon and tapped the glass. Irving’s father was reportedly in the home at the time but was released unharmed.

WFMY-2 reports that several schools in Rockingham County received threats Wednesday morning, and some schools were placed under lockdown. They believe the threats came from Irving from inside the home. Deputies say other threats were made at the governmental center and courthouse in the area. They did security checks and found nothing at any of the locations.

The bomb squad from Greensboro was called in to help. There are also deputies and other law enforcement on scene trying to negotiate with Irving. Deputies say he is barricaded inside with a shotgun, and no one has been hurt.

The area has been cordoned off and the sheriff’s department has established a perimeter around the home. Access to the area has been restricted as a safety precaution.

The house is located on Deodara Lana off the Schoolfield Road in Ruffin, N.C.

Photo courtesy WFMY-2