Clay County standoff ends peacefully

Friday, September 11, 2009

BOWLING GREEN -- A dangerous situation ended peacefully for law enforcement officials Thursday afternoon.

At approximately 12:10 p.m., officials arrested Matthew Alan Aubrey, 25, after he had allegedly barricaded himself in a home located near Bowling Green.

"He just gave up," Indiana State Police Public Information Office Sgt. Joe Watts said. "He voluntarily complied and came out."

Aubrey had barricaded himself in the home after allegedly shooting another man multiple times in the torso with a small caliber rifle and holding his estranged wife hostage for close to two hours.

The victim, identified as Frank Ford, 34, Terre Haute, had left the residence, located at 1976 North County Road 350 East, to a neighboring home, where he called 911.

Ford was later transported by AirEvac to Wishard Hospital, Indianapolis. According to Watts, Ford's injuries were not life threatening.

According to Watts, at 8:35 a.m., Aubrey entered the residence to find his estranged wife, Jayme Aubrey, 29, with Ford.

Following an altercation between the two men, Matthew allegedly shot Ford multiple times. Ford escaped the scene.

It was then when Aubrey barricaded himself in the home with his estranged wife.

Watts said law enforcement officials made contact with Aubrey and developed a "rapport" with him by telephone.

At approximately 10:30 a.m., Jayme Aubrey vacated the home. She was uninjured.

Aubrey remained in the home for almost two more hours before coming out himself.

Members of the Clay County Sheriff's Department and Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team negotiated Aubrey's surrender, although Watts said it was not a "continuous process."

"Victory to us means him coming out of the residence," Watts said. "We're very happy with the outcome."

Aubrey was later transported from the scene to the Clay County Justice Center. He was initially charged with Aggravated Battery (a class B felony), Battery with a Deadly Weapon (a class C felony) and Criminal Recklessness (a class D felony).

Aubrey's bond was set at $250,000.

The investigation is ongoing and additional charges may develop.

In addition to ISP and CCSD, other agencies assisting at the scene included Clay County Emergency Management Agency, representatives from the Clay County Prosecutor's Office, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department, Center Point Volunteer Fire Department, TransCare and AirEvac.

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