Standoff ends after SWAT storms house

A more than seven-hour standoff near Birdseye ended when police stormed the residence of a man suspected of shooting at a county highway worker.

The man, identified as Virgil Crews, 76, of 4715 Pine Ridge Road, had allegedly shot at a county highway worker operating a grader on Pine Ridge Road.

The incident began at about 3:00 p.m. when local law enforcement responded to the area of State Road 64 and Pine Ridge Road after Dubois County 911 Center received a call from a county highway worker saying he had been shot at.

According to police, the Dubois County Highway Department employee was grading the snow on Pine Ridge Road at State Road 64. He turned the grader around and started north on Pine Ridge Road when he noticed a male standing near the mailbox of 4715 Pine Ridge Road. Shortly after seeing the male, the window of the grader was shot out.

Fortunately, the driver only received minor cuts to his face from the broken glass. He left the area and called 911.

Officers quickly responded and established a perimeter around the residence at 4715 Pine Ridge Road and attempted to establish communications with Crews.

Members of the Indiana State Police Hostage Crisis Negotiating team and SWAT also responded to the scene. At 11:13 p.m. after several hours of communicating with Crews, Indiana State Police SWAT breached the front door and Crews then surrendered peacefully.

[quote]“We are pleased that this incident ended peacefully and that no one was seriously injured. I would like to thank everyone that assisted with this detail. The peaceful outcome was truly a team effort,” said Lt. Allen, Commander of the Jasper Post.[/quote]

Crews was taken to Jasper Memorial Hospital for evaluation before being taken to the Dubois County Security Center.  Crews is charged with criminal recklessness with a firearm and battery.

Investigators are asking for anyone who might have been in the area at the time the shooting occurred to call the Indiana State Police Jasper Post at 812-482-1441.

State Road 64 was closed during the event but was officially re-opened at 11:45 pm.

The Dubois County Sheriff’s Department, Indiana State Conservation Officers, Ferdinand Police Department, American Red Cross, Dubois County Emergency Medical Services, Schnellville first responders and Southeast District School Corporation assisted with the incident.