CEDAR CITY, Utah, Dec. 25, 2017 (Gephardt Daily) — A 38-year-old Cedar City man is in custody after officials say he barricaded himself inside a home armed with a battle ax on Christmas Eve, prompting officers to shoot at him.
Benjamin Dee Wilcken was booked into Iron County Jail on charges of second-degree felony aggravated assault against law enforcement, second-degree felony terroristic threats, class C misdemeanor disorderly conduct and class C misdemeanor intoxication, according to a news release from Cedar City Police Department.
The incident began Sunday night at approximately 11 p.m., the news release said, when police were dispatched on reports of a man inside a home, near 1800 W. Clark Parkway, who was thought to be armed and suicidal. It was also reported that there might be a family, including children, inside the residence.
When officials arrived, Wilcken had barricaded himself in the garage of the residence, the news release said. According to the statement, Wilcken made threats directed at officers and nearby residents implying he had explosives, so as a precautionary measure, surrounding homes were evacuated.
Officers from the Iron Metro SWAT Team were dispatched to the scene to negotiate with the suspect.
Wilcken eventually went inside the home, armed with what officials are calling a “battle ax,” still refusing to follow orders, the statement says.
Two officers deployed Tasers, but they had no effect, and a third officer fired one round from his department issued handgun, striking Wilcken, the news release said. The suspect was discovered to be wearing body armor, so was not seriously injured.
After several hours of negotiations when Wilcken remained in the garage, he turned himself in without further incident.
No explosive materials were found in the home.
Authorities also said Wilcken suffered a handful of self-inflicted injuries, but none that were life threatening. No one else was injured in the incident.
The suspect was transported to Cedar City Hospital where he was treated and released into the custody of the Cedar City Police Department.
