A man who claimed to have a gun held police at bay for nearly five hours this morning in western Iowa. Pottawattamie County Sheriff Jeff Danker says the standoff began around 4 a.m. at an apartment complex in Carson. The incident was originally reported as a domestic dispute by the man’s wife.
“The wife was able to get out of the apartment, reported the domestic and said her husband had barricaded himself in the apartment,” Danker said. “Deputies responded, sealed off the area and called in a response team.” The man refused to come outside and told deputies he had a gun, although his wife said he only had a knife.
At 9 a.m., Danker says a robot used to detect bombs was sent toward the ground-level apartment. The robot was used to break out a window and pull out some curtains. “About that time, he decided he was going to come out,” Danker said.
The unidentified man surrendered peacefully and did not have a weapon when he left the apartment. Danker said the man’s wife sustained minor injuries during the incident.
By Ric Hanson, KJAN, Atlantic
Update 3/2/2011:
Authorities have identified the man as 51-year old Jeffrey Waltermire. He was arrested and charged with serious domestic abuse assault and possession of drug paraphernalia. He was taken to Mercy Hospital in Council Bluffs,