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TOP STORY OF THE DAY, brought to you free by WICU: Numerous charges filed against suspect in standoff
The man involved in the 26-hour standoff with law enforcement officials last week at the Best Western Plus Inn near Interstate-70 faces an extensive list of charges from the Clay County Prosecutor's Office.
Shannon BJ Jeffers, 40, of West Terre Haute, Indiana, was formally charged in Clay Circuit Court over the weekend with the following charges:
• Felony level 1 - Attempted Murder
• Felony level 2 - Criminal confinement
• Felony level 2 - Resisting law enforcement
• Felony level 4 - Possession of methamphetamine
• Felony level 6 - Unlawful possession of a syringe
• Felony level 6 - Criminal recklessness while armed with a deadly weapon
• Felony level B - Unlawful possession of a firearm by a serious violent felon
• Felony level D - Possession of paraphernalia
• A Misdemeanor - Possession of marijuana
Jeffers is currently in custody at the Clay County Justice enter on a $500,000 cash bond awaiting further court proceedings.
The Indiana State Police took Jeffers into custody Friday at approximately 12:30 p.m. after the 26-hour standoff.
A press release issued by the Indiana State Police Friday contained more details about the standoff, including:
• The situation began at 10:15 a.m. Thursday morning when the US Marshal's Office, Terre Haute Police Department, Vigo County Drug Task Force, with assistance from the Clay County Sheriff's Department, attempted to serve Jeffers' arrest warrant.
• Jeffers was staying on the third floor in a room on the southwest side of the hotel.
• Apparently, after announcing their presence, the Jeffers allegedly pointed a handgun at the officers, who backed away from the room to take cover and attempt to prevent further hostility. Keeping two hostages inside the room - an unidentified female and a juvenile - Jeffers fired at least one round through the door.
• Officers immediately initiated a safety perimeter while evacuating the employees and people staying at the hotel to safety.
• Meanwhile, ISP shut down a portion of the intersection at State Roads 42 and 59 south of the intersection, with traffic diverted from the area as a safety precaution.
• Only law enforcement officials were inside the inn during negotiations initiated by members of the Terre Haute Special Response Team (SRT) in hopes of resolving the situation peacefully. Later Thursday, the suspect released the two hostages without incident.
• When members of the Indiana State Police SWAT Team took over negotiations around 1 a.m. Friday, Jeffers allegedly fired more shots at the officers using tactical techniques being used by the SWAT team in an attempt "to gain voluntary compliance." Officers used speakers overnight to communicate with the suspect and set off loud tones to get Jeffers' attention and flashbang devices that cause loud noises and bright lights to disorient people.
ISP shut down a portion of the intersection at State Roada 42 and 59 south of the intersection, with traffic diverted as a safety precaution.
• At approximately 12:30 p.m. Friday, Jeffers peacefully surrendered to authorities after speaking with an attorney.
Jeffers original warrant was issued out of Vigo County for a probation violation on original charges of possession of methamphetamine and a felon in possession of a firearm.
Detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post are leading the ongoing investigation into the incident.
The U.S. Marshals Service, Terre Haute Police Department, Clay County Sheriff's Department, Indiana State Police Central, South SWAT teams, Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department, STAR Ambulance and Clay County Coroner's Office were on scene during the incident.