18-year-old arrested after holding several people at gunpoint in Jasper apartment complex

Early Friday morning, police were called to the report of a domestic disturbance involving a firearm at a Jasper apartment complex.

Jasper Police Department officers responding to the 448 W. 43rd Street location at about 4:08 a.m. could hear shots being fired at the location when they arrived.

According to police, officers observed a man, later identified as Maxwell J. Elliot, 18, on an apartment balcony holding a handgun. Shortly thereafter the man fired a round that appeared to be shot into the ceiling of the balcony.

Police said the man then held the weapon as though he was pointing it at someone but due to lighting, location and sight issues, officers did not shoot. Police learned later Elliot was pointing the gun at a female.

Seconds later Elliott went inside and then quickly exited a bottom door holding a handgun. Police ordered Elliott to drop the gun and he did. Police said he refused to go the ground as he walked towards officers despite being commanded to do so. A Dubois County Sheriff’s Office deputy was forced to take Elliott to the ground where he was cuffed and detained.

Other officers cleared the apartment and secured the firearm determined to be a stolen 9mm Glock, according to Jasper police.

Elliott, at one point, attempted to flee on foot but was once again detained by the deputy.

Because of Elliott’s mental state, police said, Memorial Hospital Emergency Medical Services was contacted and Elliott was transported by ambulance with one deputy riding along and another following. Afterwards, Elliot was medically cleared and take to the Dubois County Security Center.

Police said there were multiple witnesses at the location, including juveniles and adults who were interviewed at the Jasper Police Station.

A search was conducted after written consent was obtained from a renter of the apartment. They found synthetic marijuana divided into four separate bags that totaled 125 grams, a digital scale and methamphetamine, police said.

During interviews, witnesses advised police that Elliott had been under the influence of acid, had waved the gun around and held two people at gunpoint. He allegedly ordered one person at gunpoint to get away from a vehicle and sit on the ground.

Police were told Elliott also held another individual at gunpoint ordering her to stay in the apartment.

During the incident, all victims were eventually allowed to leave, with the exception of the female ordered to remain in the apartment.

Elliott was booked into the Dubois County Security Center on charges of Level 3 felony criminal confinement with a deadly weapon, Level 5 felony criminal recklessness with a deadly weapon and intimidation with a deadly weapon, Level 6 felony resisting law enforcement, dealing in a synthetic drug, possession of a stolen firearm, pointing a firearm at another and possession of methamphetamine and misdemeanor possession of synthetic marijuana.