Man in custody, held baby hostage during SWAT standoff

HOUSTON (KTRK) -- A man is in custody after holding a baby hostage during a SWAT standoff in north Houston.

Houston police was called to the house in the 800 block of Ringold at Law Sunday afternoon. When officers arrived on the scene, police said the male suspect was on the porch with the baby girl in one hand and a gun in the other hand.

The standoff forced the evacuation of The Greater Progressive Missionary Baptist Church during service.

"One of the members came and said get out, get out quick," Gladys Fulbright said.

At one point, authorities said he threatened to harm himself and the baby. Negotiators were eventually able to talk him out of the house without incident or harm to the baby.

According to police, the man has an extensive criminal history and that the standoff began as a result of a domestic violence situation. The mother of the baby and the suspect are common-law spouses.