Two Arrested Following Hours-Long Standoff at Kingston Motel

An hours-long standoff at a Kingston motel ended Tuesday with two people in custody and no reported serious injuries.

Kingston Police officers and detectives went to the Super 8 Motel at 905 North Kentucky Street on July 28 while investigating a counterfeiting operation spanning several counties. Officers were also searching for two people wanted on active felony warrants from Knox County.

When officers knocked on the door of Room 114, a man inside reportedly said he had a gun and threatened to shoot the woman who was with him before taking his own life. Officers secured the area and requested additional assistance.

Several streets surrounding the motel and nearby businesses were temporarily closed as a safety precaution.

Negotiators from the Kingston Police Department and Roane County Sheriff’s Office established telephone contact with the man and woman. The Knox County Sheriff’s Office later sent its SWAT and hostage-negotiation teams to assist.

After several hours of negotiations, members of the Knox County SWAT team breached the motel-room door and took both occupants into custody.

Police identified the two as 47-year-old Amanda Caudle and 49-year-old Jason Teague. Both were transported to a local hospital for treatment of what authorities described as apparently minor injuries.

Investigators remained at the scene Tuesday afternoon serving search warrants for the motel room and a vehicle as part of the continuing counterfeiting investigation. Additional charges related to that investigation have not yet been announced.

Kingston Police thanked the Roane and Knox County sheriff’s offices, Ninth Judicial District Attorney’s Office, Roane County EMS, Kingston Fire Department, Roane County Rescue Squad and Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency for their assistance.

Authorities described the incident as an example of multiple agencies working together to bring a dangerous situation to a peaceful conclusion.

Additional details are expected to be released as the investigation continues.