A 39-year-old Columbia man is behind bars after allegedly taking a woman hostage and using her as a shield. The Columbia Police Department reports that its officers responded to the 100 block of Conley Road in reference to a man threatening to use a weapon around 1:35 p.m. on Friday.

At the scene, police received a call saying a man matching the suspect’s description was in a business in the 90 block of Conley Road armed with a weapon. CPD says officers located 39-year-old Ricco Marshall who matched the description.

Marshall was reportedly exiting the business. When he saw officers, he allegedly retreated inside and took a woman hostage. The suspect is accused of using the woman as a human shield.

Officers used a Taser to apprehend the suspect. No bystanders were injured and the hostage was not injured. Marshall was booked on three counts of First-Degree Kidnapping, two counts of Fourth-Degree Assault, and Felony Resisting Arrest.