GUNMAN SURRENDERS AFTER 7-HOUR STANDOFF IN CUSTER COUNTY

A gunman fired on deputies in south central Colorado during a seven-hour standoff Wednesday and agreed to surrender after smoking "two or three" cigarettes, the sheriff of Custer County said.

There were no injuries during the harrowing incident at a two-story home, according to Sheriff Llloyd "Rich" Smith, who described the gunman as "agitated."

The erratic shooting spree began at 11:23 a.m. as a deputy and tow truck driver were attempting to move a van abandoned on Rock Ridge Road in the northern part of the rural county, Smith said.

At one point the gunman - who taped the weapon to his hand with duct tape - fired at a drone through the roof of the dwelling. He also fired at the van. 

The incident drew to a close at about 6 p.m. after a SWAT team fired a gas-filled projectile into the home.

The gunman was taken to the jail in Fremont County. A deputy and a clinician spoke with the gunman during the incident to negotiate peaceful surrender.

Neighboring law enforcement and the state patrol sent armed personnel.

[Photo: Custer County Sheriff]