A person with a long criminal history is behind bars again after an incident Thursday night.

Hinesville police responded to a report of shots fired in the Fox Haven Court neighborhood just before 9 p.m., HPD Assistant Chief Maj. Tracey Howard said, and eventually arrested Vejie Laurent.

Callers from a residence told authorities they heard someone in another room causing damage to the house. When police arrived, they saw Laurent in the back yard, armed with a pistol and a hatchet.

“He was using the hatchet to gain entry,” Howard said. “They ordered him to put the weapons down.”

Laurent did not comply, Howard said, and officers used a taser on him to subdue him.

Laurent has a violent past but there is no known connection between the suspect and the home’s residents, Howard said.

“We don’t know what his motive was,” Howard said.

An initial indication was that there might be a hostage situation at hand, prompting officers to respond with their patrol rifles.

“After a quick assessment, they determined the individual was in the back yard,” Howard said. “We’re thankful for the quick response of the Hinesville police officers who were there and to get this guy in custody before he could cause any further harm.”

Laurent has been charged with reckless conduct, criminal damage and possession of a weapon during an attempt to commit a felony. Other charges could be pending, Howard added.