Clay County standoff ends after 26 hours
BRAZIL — A 26-hour standoff at a hotel ended peacefully Friday afternoon when the suspect surrendered to the Indiana State Police South SWAT Team.
The suspect has been identified as Shannon Jeffers, 40, of West Terre Haute.
The incident began at approximately 10:15 a.m., on Thursday when a U.S. Marshals task force made up of the U.S. Marshals Service, the Terre Haute Police Department and the Indiana State Police attempted to serve a warrant at the Best Western Plus hotel in Brazil.
Upon officer’s arrival to the hotel, they received information on the suspect’s room number. Officers went to the room and announced their arrival to the suspect, stating they were there to serve a warrant.
The suspect then fired one shot through the door at officers. Officers then retreated, taking cover for their safety and immediately cleared all occupants out of the hotel for their safety as well.
Once this was complete, officers set up a perimeter around the hotel.
Officers from numerous agencies responded to the scene, including the Terre Haute Police Department Special Response Team and Hostage Negotiation Team also responded.
Negotiators were able to make contact with Jeffers and were able to get two other occupants who were inside the hotel room released safely.
At approximately 1 a.m. Friday, the Indiana State Police Central SWAT team relieved the Terre Haute Police Department Special Response Team and took command of the scene. While the Indiana State Police continued the negotiations with the suspect — and the suspect communicated with his personal attorney — tactical techniques to gain voluntary compliance were also deployed.
While these tactical techniques were in use, the suspect continued to fire additional shots toward officers.
At approximately 12:30 p.m. Friday, the Jeffers finally surrendered to officers.
The original warrant for Jeffers 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. Jeffers was taken into custody and transported to the Clay County Jail where he will be facing a charge of Level 1 felony attempted murder, according to Clay County Prosecutor Emily Clarke.
Detectives from the Indiana State Police Putnamville Post are leading the investigation into the incident.
Agencies taking part in the operation and investigation also include U.S. Marshals Service, Terre Haute Police Department, Clay County Sheriff’s Office, Indiana State Police Central and South SWAT teams, Posey Township Volunteer Fire Department, Jackson Township Volunteer Fire Department, STAR Ambulance and Clay County Coroner’s Office.