A Cabool man faces numerous charges following an incident Sunday night where he made violent threats to residents and officers, the Texas County Sheriff’s Department said.
County authorities report that Billy J. Minshall, 36, of 709 Garst St. in Cabool, was arrested following an incident at a 78-year-old Mountain Grove man’s home.
Deputies were dispatched to the location at about 7 p.m. after Minshall was reportedly acting in an uncontrollable manner and threatening the homeowner and a man and woman who lived nearby. The homeowner stated that Minshall had a few days earlier taken up residence in an abandoned trailer in an adjacent property, and had threatened him with a knife.
When officers arrived at the scene, Minshall was encountered wearing a backpack and carrying several knives. As the situation progressed, he spoke of explosives inside his assumed residence, and of tanks and snipers around the property.
An officer stated that when Minshall was given a command, he refused to comply, stated that a sniper was going to kill the officer in 10 seconds, and began to count down from 10. When he reached four, an officer shot him with a taser, and Minshall threw a pair of pliers at the officer.
The officers interviewed neighbors about Minshall. Residents were concerned for their safety and that of an aunt who is the subject of a missing persons report filed May 31.
During the investigation, several suspicious items were found at the scene, including a loaded dart gun.
Minshall was charged Monday with first-degree assault, second-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action, possession of drug paraphernalia and second-degree trespassing.
He is held at the Texas County Jail on $500,000 bond.