Sedalia man arrested after threatening law enforcement with airsoft gun
SEDALIA, Mo. (KCTV) - A Sedalia man is behind bars after he allegedly threatened to get into a shootout with law enforcement and an airsoft gun as he used an infant as a shield.
Pettis County, Missouri, Circuit Court records filed on Monday, May 5, indicate that Anthony L. Melton, 36, of Sedalia, has been taken into custody after he threatened a shootout with an airsoft gun and remained armed with a knife as he held an infant.
A probable cause statement filed by the Pettis County Sheriff’s Office revealed that just after 6:25 p.m. on Sunday, law enforcement officials were called to a home with reports of a disturbance. Dispatchers reported the suspect had made threats to shoot at police if they arrived.
A witness told investigators that Melton believed the police were there to kill him. However, he later retrieved a child’s airsoft gun and called 911 to report that he would get in a shootout with police. Witnesses were able to wrestle the gun away before investigators arrived, however, he retrieved a knife and remained armed on the porch.
Law enforcement officials said they found that Melton had gotten hold of an infant and refused to give it back to their mother. It is believed he intended to use the baby as a shield. Eventually, Melton threw the weapon down, however, it remained within accessible distance. It remains unclear how or why, but investigators then left the scene.
The Sheriff’s Office said it was called back to the home about 4 and a half hours later, after a witness reported Melton had gone into the garage with another knife. As he had become violent with individuals in the home, he was taken into custody.
As a result, Melton has been charged with unlawful use of a weapon. As of Thursday, May 8, Melton remains behind bars in Pettis County on a $25,000 bond. A court appearance has been scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on May 20.
No further information has been released.
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