Man barricades in home; fires at officers

William King

Story by Press Reporter Shannon Taylor

On Sunday, Oct. 9 at 5:47 p.m. Dep. Brown and Dep. Roberts responded to 28- Dunlap Rd. in regard to a welfare check on a Mr. William Anthony King.

According to a press release from Weakley County Sheriff’s Department, when deputies arrived, they attempted to call King out of a small blue shed located on the property. Attempts were made by way of PA (public announcement) on an officer’s patrol vehicle and after multiple attempts, the decision was made to clear a small trailer located between the officers and the shed.

While officers were attempting to clear the building, King exited the shed and was extremely irate carrying a hammer in his left hand. Dep. Roberts and Dep. Brown attempted to give King verbal commands when King produced a handgun from his waistband.

Officers continued to give verbal commands to King, but he turned and ran through an opening in the carport towards the residence. King fired a shot in Dep. Roberts’ and Browns’ direction and then ran to the rear of the residence.

Deputies then proceeded to make their way around to the other side of the residence and noticed a back door that was kicked in. At this point, Martin Police Department responded as well as Weakley County SRT (special reaction team) and administration.

Due to a fear of a possible hostage situation, deputies did not enter after King and set up a perimeter while they waited for backup units.

An older female occupant called the Sheriff’s Office from inside the residence and officers were able to extract her from the residence safely.

Deputies attempted to make contact with King through PA multiple times as well as having dispatch attempt to call a phone inside the residence. King did not answer any phone calls or PA attempts.

After a few hours of attempted negotiation, the SRT deployed CS (tear) gas and entered the home where they found King in an upstairs closet where King charged Dep. Sanders and attempted to gain control of his service weapon. A Martin PD officer tased King in order to get him into custody.

King was charged with attempted first-degree murder on a law enforcement officer two times, Aggravated assault three times, aggravated burglary, aggravated criminal trespass, resisting arrest, evading arrest and possession of a weapon by a convicted felon.

Sheriff Terry McDade wanted to commend all officers that responded and stated, “We appreciate the help and quick response from Martin PD and THP. We are thankful no one was injured, and the best-case-scenario occurred.”