A South Carolina man allegedly shot himself after holding his former girlfriend and her child hostage Monday morning on Sheila Drive in Walthourville.

According to Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Chief Deputy Jon Long, the man, whose name was not released, went to his former girlfriend’s home on the 100 block of Sheila Drive around 1 a.m. He allegedly held the woman and her child hostage until they were able to make it safely out of the home. He then used a handgun to keep police at bay for nearly for hours while they attempted to negotiate, Long said.

Long said during negotiations the man turned the gun on himself and fired a single shot. 

The man was airlifted to Memorial Health University Medical Center in Savannah by medical helicopter, Long said.