[04/30/03] Hordes of local and federal authorities were blocking Halls Ferry Road this morning while specialists were negotiating with a man holed up in a motor home.

The Warren County Sheriff’s Department, Vicksburg Police Department and members of the FBI and ATF were at the standoff between Gibson Road and Porters Chapel. Authorities said the man, believed to be armed but alone, is wanted on local and federal charges.

Warren County Sheriff Martin Pace said around 9:30 a.m. that officers were in communication with the man, but would not say how they were talking with him.

“We are attempting to negotiate his surrender. Our goal is that he be taken into custody with no injuries,” Pace said.

Ken Chisholm of the federal Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco and Firearms said the man is wanted by them on charges of possession of a firearm by a felon.

Authorities would not release the man’s name, but said he was about 40 years old.

A man at the scene said he knew the man in the motor home and identified him as G.G. Alexander.

Pace said deputies noticed the motor home parked on the side of the road around 1:30 a.m. and attempted to arrest the man. The man refused to come out, and Pace said they could tell that he was armed.

Authorities said they do not know what kind of weapon the man has. FBI Special Agent Ed Worthington said it could be several more hours before the standoff ends. Food was being delivered to the officers.

“These things tend to be rather protracted,” Worthington said. “We are talking to the guy and he is talking to us, so we feel very encouraged about that.”

Late in the morning, there was a report of a strong chemical smell in the area. It could not be confirmed.

Pace said he did not know the nature of the man’s previous felony convictions and gave no details on local warrants. Vicksburg Police Chief Tommy Moffett said that in addition to the FBI and ATF, other tactical teams were in place.

Local police and deputies have also had the area of Halls Ferry Road between Gibson and Porters Chapel roads closed all morning. Some motorists reported being told they were being detoured around a wreck. Another said he was told the county’s new bridge had washed out.