Update: Police say barricaded man, Charles R. Nichols III, has been taken into custody.
A federal search warrant execution in Portsmouth turned into a hours-long standoff Wednesday morning after shots were fired at law enforcement officers.
Police say just before 10 a.m., Virginia State Police and the Department of Homeland Security went to an apartment complex on Crawford Street to serve a search warrant tied to a Virginia Beach Police investigation.
Virginia State Police say when their officers entered the unit, a person inside fired several shots. VSP says they didn't return fire, but took cover and tried to communicate with the individual.
While this was happening, the apartment complex was evacuated. City Hall across the street was also partially evacuated.
A standoff lasted until 1:20 in the afternoon when police took 33-year-old Charles R. Nichols III into custody.
Police say he was not injured and is now being held by Virginia Beach Police on an outstanding warrant.
VSP also says their employees were not hurt.
"In a situation like that, when you have an individual who's barricaded, there are a lot of unknown dynamics," Portsmouth Police Chief Jenkins said. "The most important thing is that everyone involved is safe."
State police say a woman who was inside the apartment unit was taken to the hospital for treatment unrelated to the incident.
VSP is investigating the shooting, while Virginia Beach Police is handling charges connected to the original warrant. Portsmouth Police Department helped at the scene.
I'm told federal law enforcement agencies helped with the initial search warrant and investigation.
The incident remains under investigation.
Watch: Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins gives an update on the downtown barricade situation
Portsmouth Police Chief Stephen Jenkins urged residents to take caution in the downtown area.
"We've asked for all of the individuals here to limit their movement in the downtown area. Most of the businesses have closed. City hall is closed at this point until we get this sorted out," Jenkins said.
Evacuation teams were working to ensure residents get moved out of the apartment building. Buses were brought into the area to assist with the evacuation effort.
Jenkins also clarified that this incident is not related to immigration enforcement.
News 3 has a crew on scene and will update this story as new details unfold.
