Standoff with man on horseback ends peacefully

A 51-year-old Portage village man on horseback surrendered to Wood County police peacefully Sunday evening after a bizarre standoff.

The two-hour standoff unfolded at around 6 p.m. when Wood County Sheriff's deputies were called to a location in the 14000 block of Portage Road to investigate a reported domestic dispute involving shots fired.

Upon arrival, a perimeter was established around the farm property and both the county's special response team and a hostage negotiation team were called to the scene.

Negotiations with the subject, identified as Ernest Connor, lasted two hours. A report indicated Connor said he wanted to "die by the police."

After about an hour negotiating with the county sheriff, Conner came out onto Portage Road shirtless, and riding a horse.

The Wood County Special Operations team tried to negotiate with the suspect for about two hours.

Connor reportedly had a shotgun in his hands while on horseback.

At around 8 p.m., Connor surrendered to county deputies and was taken into custody.

The subject was taken to the Wood County Justice Center in Bowling Green and charged with inducing panic, felonious assault, and using weapons while intoxicated.

Conner was arraigned via video in Bowling Green Municipal Court Monday morning. He did not enter a plea, and is due back in court on July 18.

Category:

News & Politics

Tags:

• Portage
• village
• man
• Ernest
• Connor
• standoff
• Wood
• County
• Sheriff
• deputies
• horseback
• challenge
• hours
• peacefully