Wrightsville Beach Police clear residence after report of armed man on balcony

WRIGHTSVILLE BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Wrightsville Beach Police are explaining what happened to cause a large police response on Sunday.

WBPD said at approximately 8:55 a.m. on Sunday, officers responded to a report of a man with a rifle standing on a balcony of a residence in the 300 block of Coral Drive.

When the first officer arrived, police said the people on the balcony retreated inside the building.

Police said one person was seen running away from the property on Coral Drive toward North Channel Drive.

Given the nature of the call and the potential concern for public safety, officers established a perimeter around the residence and requested the assistance from neighboring law enforcement agencies.

WBPD said personnel from the Wilmington Police Department, the New Hanover County Sheriff’s Office, and NC State Highway Patrol responded.

Police said officers directed commands for all occupants to exit the residence using a vehicle public address system.

Twelve people were temporarily detained while officers searched and cleared the building without incident.

Officials said the investigation determined that there was no ongoing threat to the public. No criminal activity was identified. No arrests were made.

Police said the occupants checked out of the residence later that day without further incident.

WBPD said they understand the incident and its large response generated public interest.

Wrightsville Beach Police uses the CodeRED emergency alert system in circumstances that warrant public notification, but officers quickly determined there was no immediate threat to the community.