After nearly three hours Monday, a man described as being distraught over a pending marital situation walked from the main pavilion in Spring Park and surrendered to police, authorities said

Tuscumbia Police Chief Tony Logan said the 48-year-old man, who has been living in Tuscumbia for about two months, threatened to end his life several times during the standoff with law enforcement.

“Just before 6 p.m., he started down the steps of the (second floor) of the main pavilion,” Logan said. “He was walking slowing with the gun raised slightly.”

The man walked about 100 yards with law enforcement personnel shouting at him to stop and surrender.

Once he reached the railroad track that circles Spring Park, he kneeled on the ground and after hesitating for a moment, he laid the gun on the ground, with law enforcement about 100 feet away.

He was quickly taken into custody at 6:01 p.m.

“If you have to have a situation like this, this is the way you want it to end,” said Logan, who negotiated with the man throughout the ordeal.

After being taken into custody, the man, who is originally from Lauderdale County, was taken to Eliza Coffee Memorial Hospital where he would be evaluated, officials said.

Authorities said the man was going through marital problems and was upset.

Police evacuated Spring Park, the surrounding area including Spring Creek Golf Course and had workers at the city’s new water treatment plant go into the building after learning a man with a gun was in the park.

The man rode to the park on his motorcycle about 3:15 p.m. and walked to the second floor of the pavilion.

Logan said there was about 30 people inside the park when police arrived and began evacuation.

Charges will likely be filed against the man, Logan said.

Tom Smith can be reached at 256-740-5757 or tom.smith@TimesDaily.com.