North Carolina State Senate candidate Jonathon Miller arrested after police standoff

CARY, N.C. (NBC, KYMA) - North Carolina State Senate candidate John Miller is in custody after an hours-long standoff with police in the Town of Cary Monday.

The Libertarian candidate, who posted social media updates during the standoff, has been charged with communicating threats, resisting officers, and a gun-related charge.

In the posts on social media, Miller spoke about feeling suicidal, and included apparent references to seeking gun battles with the police

He wrote in part, "The whole police department is chasing me with guns drawn. This should be fun," and, "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 and tried to talk to him early Monday.

According to the Cary Police Department, officers made a welfare check around 8:26 a.m. Eastern at Miller's home. Luckily, he was taken into custody before any gunshots were fired.

Police later said Miller was "in a dark place," and that he, felt like he was on his last leg."

Miller called WRAL-TV, the NBC affiliate in Raleigh, during the standoff.

When asked why he had run away from police, he said, "Because I don't want them to take me into custody and then lock me up in a hospital," suggesting that type of treatment is ineffective and that he would end right back in the same place.

If you are anyone else is experiencing a mental health crisis, there is help out there. You can call or text 988, or call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 800-273-8255. Veterans can press "1" after dialing 988 to connect directly to the Veterans Crisis Lifeline. For texts, veterans should continue to text the Veterans Crisis Lifeline short code: 838255.