Ohio’s Deerfield Township All residents of Warren County and those from neighboring counties received emergency warnings following an hours-long police standoff in Deerfield Township, which resulted in the arrest of a suspect, Warren County Sheriff Barry Riley told WCPO.
Riley stated that at around noon, police executed an arrest warrant for Denzelle Pouncy, 32, at a home on Spring Mill Way in the Landen neighborhood. After authorities were called to UC West Chester on Friday night in response to an allegation of an attack, Pouncy had current warrants on counts of assault and strangling.
According to Riley, the Warren County Tactical Response Unit used explosives to break through the front door of the house before entering and apprehending Pouncy. He added that Pouncy’s fiancé was among the three people removed from the house. According to Riley, there were no gunshots or injuries during the breach.
A WCPO crew discovered a damaged doorway at a house along Spring Mill Way after police had left the site.
According to Riley, Pouncy has a lengthy criminal past that includes allegations of weapons, aggravated narcotics trafficking, involuntary manslaughter, and more. He is also currently on parole.
According to the neighbors we spoke with, it’s often a peaceful and safe place.
“Never seen anything like this,” local resident David Fritz remarked. “Not even close.”
WATCH: Watch the video below to find out more about the standoff that triggered the alert:
At first, the sheriff’s office described the standoff as a “active situation,” but they clarified that the neighborhood was not in danger.
Deerfield Fire and Rescue, Mason Fire and Rescue, Monroe Police, Deerfield Township Police, and other law enforcement organizations were among the cruisers that a WCPO crew witnessed.
According to a news release from Warren County EMA, “a technical malfunction” caused the notice about the incident in the Landen region to be inadvertently issued to a far larger area. They think it was a “computer glitch,” not human error, Riley clarified.
“The dispatcher who sent it out today is one of the most experienced, hardest-working, best dispatchers I know in the business,” stated Riley. “Not his fault.”
In addition to everyone living in Warren County, certain residents of nearby counties, including Hamilton, Butler, Clinton, Clermont, and Greene, also received the notice.
It even reached William Birchwell of Symmes Township. He told us he wanted to witness what was happening when we spoke to him at the site.
“If you’re at home and you see a notification that’s very vague, like ‘keep doors and windows locked,’ you always think the worst case,” Birchwell added.
“The technical issue with IPAWS (Integrated Public Alert & Warning System) is currently being thoroughly investigated with local, state and federal partners,” the Emergency Management Agency of Warren County stated.
Around 12:30 p.m., the first resident alert was sent out, advising everyone to stay indoors.
“There is an emergency alert. Secure windows and doors. Extra Information. The message says, “Stay inside and keep your doors locked.”
Residents were informed in a follow-up alert that this was exclusive to Deerfield Township residents. Additionally, locals were asked not to dial 911.
Around 1:30 p.m., a third message informed locals that the safety alert had been canceled.
“Cancel the safety alert; the situation is concentrated at Deerfield Township’s Spring Mill Way. The advisory stated that the rest of Warren County was not in danger.
