It started with a bizarre 911 call claiming federal agents were after him — and ended with a shattered windshield, blood everywhere, and deputies escorting an intoxicated man to the hospital.
According to a report from the Lawrence County Sheriff’s Office, dispatch received a call from a man who claimed the FBI and ATF were actively investigating him. During the call, the man told deputies he had “more firepower than law enforcement” and demanded that federal agents be called off, insisting it was a local jurisdiction issue.
Dispatchers noted the caller sounded heavily intoxicated. The call was disconnected after no emergency could be established.
Minutes later, deputies were sent to investigate a separate complaint involving criminal damaging after a driver reported his windshield had been smashed. While deputies were responding, dispatch received three more 911 calls from the same individual, again with no medical or emergency issue reported.
The driver told deputies he had picked up a man in Huntington, West Virginia, to give him a ride home. He said the man already had blood on his hands and clothing when he got into the vehicle. During the drive, the passenger became violent, striking the interior windows.
When they arrived at the drop-off location, the driver said he warned the man to stop or police would be called. As the man exited the vehicle, he allegedly punched and shattered the windshield with his fist. The driver left the area, contacted law enforcement, and waited nearby. He later told deputies he wanted to pursue charges.
Deputies collected a blood-covered cellphone from the driver as evidence and documented the damage.
Meanwhile, other deputies responded to the address tied to the repeated 911 calls. Dispatch advised officers to use caution, noting the caller appeared highly intoxicated and potentially dangerous.
When deputies approached the residence, loud thumping and heavy movement could be heard inside. The man soon exited the home, visibly bleeding from his hands, with blood actively dripping onto the ground.
Deputies secured him and conducted a brief protective sweep of nearby rooms for officer safety. No other people were found inside, though officers reported a large amount of blood throughout the residence.
Due to the man’s level of intoxication, visible injuries, and erratic behavior, EMS was requested. Deputies provided first aid while waiting for the ambulance.
The man continued making inconsistent claims — at one point saying he had been abducted — though dispatch confirmed no such report had been made. Deputies described him as unstable, yelling profanities, unsteady on his feet, and strongly smelling of alcohol.
He was transported by ambulance to St. Mary’s Hospital for treatment.
While at the hospital, deputies remained bedside after staff expressed concerns for safety due to his aggressive behavior. Deputies reported the man continued yelling, making threats, using racial slurs, and attempting to shove an officer with his foot while restrained to the hospital bed.
After medical treatment for a deep cut to his hand, he was turned over to a sheriff’s office jailer pending medical clearance.
The investigation into criminal damaging, misuse of 911, and related conduct remains ongoing.
