At approximately 6:30 p.m., Jan. 11, Knox County Sheriff’s deputies responded to a call from a female at a residence on North Union Road in Union regarding a domestic disturbance and that the male party had gone outside with a gun and said he was going to kill himself. The female caller said she had heard a gunshot.

Sgt. Patrick Polky, Deputy Scott Redmun, and Deputy Arthur Smith were first on scene and found Ryan Hopkins, 25, of Union, outside in the driveway alert with a rifle, according to a news release from the sheriff’s office.

Deputies notified Knox County Communications Center, saying they were confronting Hopkins at gunpoint and he was not cooperating to put the gun down, the release said.

According to the deputies, Hopkins repeatedly challenged them to shoot him, the release said.

Deputies called for further assistance. Chief Deputy Tim Carroll responded when alerted and asked dispatch to notify nearby off-duty units to respond, as well as the Maine State Police Tactical Unit, due to Hopkins having retreated into the wood line and was not able to be seen by onscene units, the Sheriff’s Office said.

Deputies were able to evacuate other family members of the residence. A short time later, Hopkins came out of the woods and reengaged contact with the deputies.

Polky was able to talk Hopkins into giving up and he was taken into custody without further incident. Hopkins was transported to Penobscot Bay Medical Center for an evaluation and later taken to Knox County Jail on felony charges of domestic violence terrorizing with a dangerous weapon and criminal threatening with a dangerous weapon.

Hopkins remains at the Knox County Jail.