By Shavonne Walker

shavonne.walker@salisburypost.com

EAST SPENCER — East Spencer police say a domestic incident turned into a hostage situation early Thursday morning at Grant Street Apartments complex.

The suspect eventually released the hostages and came out of the apartment on his own.

Police charged Michale Donnell Feamster, 23, with three counts of kidnapping, possession of a firearm by a felon, and assault on a female. He was also wanted for a parole violation for trafficking.

According to East Spencer Police Chief Sharon Hovis, Feamster went there to see the mother of his children, Carolyn Hoffner.

Hoffner lives at the apartment complex. Feamster was not on a ban list, but he was not supposed to be there, Hovis said.

The couple had a verbal, then physical altercation. Hoffner, who is pregnant, tried to leave and get her other children out of the apartment. She asked her brother, who was also there, to get her 3-year-old and 9-year-old children out. Officials said that’s when Feamster prevented the three from leaving. He had a handgun and held them inside the apartment.

East Spencer police responded to the possible hostage situation about 6:13 a.m. Thursday and called in the Rowan County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team.

According to Rowan County officials, the team was on the scene at 6:35 a.m. and the situation was under control by 7:47 a.m. Authorities were ready to use a key provided to them by the Rowan County Housing Authority to gain access to the apartment, but Feamster came out on his own.

Spencer police officers also were on the scene.

No one was injured. Feamster was taken into custody.

Police said they believe Feamster was impaired by drugs and alcohol.