Sedalia Man Arrested After 11-hour Standoff

On Tuesday at approximately 8:12 p.m., Sedalia Police Officers were dispatched to a disturbance call at 805 North New York Avenue.

A short time later, officers learned that there had been a disturbance involving a firearm with three individuals and a shot had been fired during the fight.

One individual escaped the home with the firearm and turned it over to police. Sedalia Police Officers, Pettis County Deputies, and Missouri Highway Patrol Troopers surrounded the home and set up a perimeter.

Fearing one of the remaining occupants in the residence was injured, officers approached the residence and attempted to make contact. Officers learned the door was barricaded and a female inside the residence told officers there was a bomb or incendiary device inside.

Officers then disengaged and setup safe locations for officers to begin negotiations. The Sedalia Fire Department and Pettis County Ambulance District also staged nearby for immediate response to injuries if the device was detonated.

Sedalia officers negotiated with the suspect, identified as Charles Morris, 45, of the residence and a female victim. During negotiations officers found the 46 year-old female was being held against her will and it was confirmed there was an incendiary device in the home, possibly set near the front door. SPD obtained a search warrant for the residence through the Pettis County Prosecutor.

The Sedalia Police Department requested the assistance of Missouri State Highway Patrol SWAT and the Bomb Squad. During their response time, SPD continued with negotiations and attempts to de-escalate the situation. At approximately 2:30 a.m., Morris appeared to “pass out” according to the victim. Negotiators helped the victim understand how to escape and MSHP SWAT escorted her away from the front door.

SPD deployed a drone in coordination with other devices used by MSHP SWAT to determine where the incendiary device and the suspect were located inside the residence. MSHP SWAT entered the residence and located Morris in a bedroom. He was secured and removed from the residence. The MSHP Bomb Squad entered the residence and safely disposed of the incendiary device. Morris was not injured.

Morris was transported to the local hospital where he was evaluated and determined to be fit for confinement and he was transported to the Pettis County Jail for the following warrants and requested charges.

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During the incident Morris had two active arrest warrants for the following:

• Pettis County warrant for Statutory Sodomy and two counts of child molestation in the third degree $100,000 cash only
• Pettis County warrant for Non-support $500 cash only
Additional charges requested from the prosecutor:
• First Degree Domestic Assault- 2 counts
• Possession of certain weapons a crime (incendiary device)
• First Degree Kidnapping
• Unlawful use of a weapon

“The Sedalia Police Department would like to extend a special thank you to all the assistance and support from the Missouri State Highway Patrol troopers, MSHP SWAT, MSHP Bomb Squad, Pettis County Sheriff’s Office, Pettis County Ambulance District, Sedalia Fire Department, and Pettis County Joint Communications.

This event lasted for over 11 hours and we are proud to serve our community with our fellow public safety professionals,” said Sedalia Police Chief Matt Wirt.