Ravalli County Standoff Ends, Suspect Surrenders Peacefully

UPDATE: According to the Hamilton Police Department, the suspect involved in a standoff with police most of the day Saturday surrendered peacefully early Sunday morning. Police Chief Chief Ryan Oster says Darren Taylor Walp surrendered to police at around 6:30 am. Oster says that police discovered Walp was armed with several large knives. All evacuations in the area have been lifted, and Walp is now in custody.

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The Hamilton Police Department is currently involved in an armed standoff with a man who's been barricaded inside a Hamilton apartment for most of the day.

The complex is located off of Fairgrounds Road and Providence Way. We're told the apartment units surrounding the one occupied by the suspect have been evacuated.

Chief Ryan Oster says the incident began around 11 a.m. when police responded to a tip that a wanted man was located at the apartment.

The man's name is Darren Taylor Walp, a 34-year-old wanted out of Powell County for prior firearms charges.

According to the Hamilton Police Department, Walp is also believed to have warrants out of New Jersey. He's reportedly resisted arrest and has had prior confrontations with law enforcement.

No injuries have been reported. Oster says contact has been made by phone with the Walp, who is believed to be armed.

Officials ask people to avoid the area until the incident is resolved.