ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Deputies said the Dawson County sheriff defused a hostage situation at his department’s headquarters Thursday morning.

Just after 4 a.m., deputies responded to the front lobby of the Law Enforcement Center — which houses the sheriff’s office, the district attorney’s office and the county jail — where a man was reportedly holding his Lyft driver at knifepoint.

The suspect, identified as David Christopher Morris of Dawsonville, had been picked up in Hall County. During the trip to a Dawson County address, he allegedly threatened the driver with a knife and demanded to be taken to the Law Enforcement Center.

Deputies said Morris then forced the driver into the lobby, demanding to speak with Sheriff Jeff Johnson.

A SWAT team quickly responded and set up

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