More information has been released regarding yesterday’s standoff in Izard County that brought out a strong force of regional and state law enforcement.
According to a press release from Izard County Sheriff Jack Yancey’s office, county deputies were dispatched to a residence on Whispering Pines Road near Oxford yesterday morning in an attempt to arrest an individual at that address who was wanted in the state of Missouri on rape and drug charges.
When officers attempted to gain entrance to the residence, they came under fire from the suspect, the release said. At that time, the area was cordoned off, and shortly after, authorities say the suspect opened a back door and fired at another deputy — who fired one round in return, a round that was later determined to have struck the suspect in the shoulder. The suspect continued to refuse to come out and barricaded himself in the house, according to the sheriff’s office.
At that time, authorities said the decision was made to ask for the Arkansas State Police SWAT team to assist. The area was secured until the SWAT team arrived and deployed. Shortly after deployment, the suspect surrendered without further incident, the release said.
The suspect is identified as Sherman Edward Shetler (pictured above), age 54, formerly of Lebanon, Mo.
In addition to the Missouri charges, Shetler faces local charges of eight counts of aggravated assault; one count of terroristic threatening; and one count of possession of a firearm by certain persons.
Shetler is in custody and is currently being treated for his wound at White River Medical Center in Batesville.
Bond was set by Judge David Miller at $1,000,000.
Yancey’s office noted the point to be made about the entire incident is that the general public was never in danger. The area of the incident was totally secured, and the only people who were in harm’s way were the suspect and law enforcement personnel, the release noted.
The Izard County Sheriff’s Office expressed their sincere gratitude and appreciation to all of the people and agencies who assisted yesterday: Shawn Stephens and the Independence County Sheriff’s Department, Arkansas Game and Fish officers, 16th Judicial District Drug Task Force agents, Arkansas State Police, and the Arkansas State Police SWAT team “…who were able to bring the incident to a successful conclusion with their great equipment and expert training,” Yancey’s office said.
The First Baptist Church in Oxford was also thanked by the sheriff’s office for use of their property for staging.
“Due to the efforts of all of the people named above, everyone went home to their families and that is a successful conclusion,” the release said.
Image via Izard County Sheriff’s Office
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