Libertarian state Senate candidate arrested after hours-long standoff with Cary police

Jonathan D. Miller, the Libertarian Party nominee for a state Senate seat covering much of Cary and other parts of western Wake County, was arrested around 3 p.m. Monday after a standoff with Cary police that lasted several hours. Police said no one was injured.

The standoff took place near the Lochmere neighborhood, in the apartment complex where Miller lives. Resurrection Lutheran School, a private school close to the scene, was placed under a code yellow lockdown for part of the day.

Police charged Miller with communicating threats, resisting officers and going armed to the terror of the people. He is being held at the Wake County Detention Center.

The episode began with messages on Miller's X account, posted Sunday night and throughout Monday. The posts spoke of feeling suicidal and appeared to refer to seeking gun battles with police. One Monday morning post read: "The whole police department is chasing me with guns drawn. This should be fun." Another said: "I've got six shots and the high ground. I hope they don't find me, but if they do it's going to be a hell of a show."

Officers had been monitoring the posts. According to Cary police, they made a welfare check at Miller's home on Glen Echo Lane, just off Kildaire Farm Road, at about 8:26 a.m. Police Chief Terry Sult said at a news conference that Miller had a firearm, was ordered not to touch it, and ran. "He was in a dark place," Sult said. "Felt like he was on his last leg."

While police searched for him, Miller phoned WRAL several times to give his version of events and to criticize the department. He said his late-night post, which he described as a suicide note, had been seen by millions of people. Chase Oliver, the Libertarian Party's 2024 presidential nominee, was among those who urged him online not to take his own life or fight police.

Miller told the station that an officer who knew his name approached him as he smoked a cigarette outside, saw the holstered revolver on his hip and drew a weapon. He said he refused the order and ran into the woods. He said he was afraid "a little bit" and was hiding because he did not want to be locked up in a hospital, where he doubted he would get adequate care. Late in the standoff he said he hoped to wait police out and "disappear and never come back to Cary."

After the arrest, Sult thanked WRAL for taking the calls. He said police were able to coach the person speaking with Miller and to monitor the conversation with the station's permission. "It gave us some additional insight, very consistent with what we were dealing with," Sult said. "It bridged the gap."

Miller is challenging Democratic Sen. Gale Adcock for the seat. Republican nominee Philip Hensley is also on the ballot.

Anyone having suicidal thoughts or a mental health crisis can call or text 988. Veterans can press 1 after dialing 988 to reach the Veterans Crisis Lifeline, or text 838255.