Hope Man Arrested For Terroristic Threatening After Stand-Off

HOPE – At approximately 02:40 hours on January 22,2917, Dispatch advised Sgt. Jim Bush that they had received a call in reference to a domestic disturbance at 3496 Highway 73 East.

Dispatch advised Sgt. Bush that the caller stated that she and her husband Dewayne Wheat got into an argument and he loaded a shotgun and left the house on foot.

Deputy Kyle Malone arrived on scene first. Deputy Malone then radioed in that the suspect still had the gun and was refusing to get away from it. Upon Sgt. Bush’s arrival he spoke with witnesses in the driveway who advised the deputies that there was an argument and that Wheat had been drinking.

Sgt. Bush then approached the northwest corner of the house where Deputy Malone was located and observed that Wheat was standing behind the well shed.

Wheat was in view and began walking back to behind the shed. Sgt. Bush ordered Wheat to get his hands up where they could see them. Wheat did not comply with any of the deputy’s orders.

Wheat then told the deputies “If you take one more step, that’s it!”. He then said that the deputies had until “the count of three to step back, and began counting”.

Sgt. Bush then contacted Dispatch by radio and requested assistance from Hope Police officers. Sgt. Bush then heard the distinct sound of Wheat working the bolt action of the firearm. Sgt. Bush was unable to see Wheat at this time but ordered him to put the gun down, however received no response from Wheat.

Bush advised Dispatch that the had a subject with a gun who is refusing to give it up. Deputy Malone and Sgt. Bush continued watching Wheat while giving him more orders to put the gun down, while awaiting backup to get there. Wheat shouted “Shoot me now or both of ya’ll can go f**k yourselves!”. Both deputies continued attempting to get Wheat to get his hands out of his pockets and getting on the ground, without results.

Sgt. Daniel Steward, Officer Justin Dean and Officer Scott Hurd, all with the Hope Police Department, then arrived to assist the deputies. Sgt. Steward went around a shed on the east side of the property and as Deputy Dunham arrived he went to the west side of the property. Sgt. Bush continued speaking to Wheat. Wheat responded “End my G*****n life – f**k it!”.

Wheat turned towards Sgt. Steward and began approaching him. As Deputy Dunham came from behind Wheat to take him down with Sgt. Steward assisting. Wheat continued resisting arrest by pulling away from officers as they attempted to put his hands behind his back and cuff him. Wheat was taken into custody and transported to the Hempstead County Detention Center.

Sgt. Bush recovered a bolt-action Stephens model 58 12-gauge shotgun as evidence. Also recovered were 6 live 12-gauge rounds, one magazine for the shotgun and a shell holder on the ground next to where the gun was recovered.

During the attempt to arrest Wheat, Sgt. Steward sustained an injury to a finger on his left hand. Steward later went to Wadley Regional Medical Center at Hope and was treated for a broken finger.

Wheat was booked for Terroristic Threatening, Battery 2nd Degree for the injury to Sgt. Steward and Resisting Arrest. He was awaiting his first court appearance.

Sheriff James Singleton added “I would like to commend all officers involved in this incident for handling it in such a way that did not result in a different outcome. All officers used extreme restraint in dealing with this armed subject in a way that did not result in the use of deadly force. I am very proud of our Deputies and Police Officers in the way this situation was handled. I would also like to thank the Hope Officers for responding to our deputies’ call for assistance. Please join me in praying for a quick recovery for Sgt. Daniel Stewards injuries sustained in this incident.”