Sunday afternoon just prior to 3:00, Stone County Deputies responded to a Domestic Disturbance at 114 James Mills Place, Crane, MO.

When the first two deputies arrived, they were told by the parents of a male subject that their son was inside the house with a gun and was threatening to commit suicide, and shoot anyone that came into the home. The 31 year old male came out shortly and fired one round from a shotgun in what appeared to be in the direction of the deputies, then retreated back into the residence.

As other deputies responded to the scene, a perimeter was set up around the residence until the Stone County Special Response Team could be deployed. As soon as a negotiator arrived on scene, communications was established with the male subject inside in an attempt to persuade him to come out of the residence unarmed. Negotiations continued for approximately 5 hours. During negotiations, deputies could see the male subject inside the residence holding different firearms as he was talking on the phone. At one point, the subject was persuaded to surrender one of the firearms in exchange for a cigarette. The subject stated many times that he was going to take his own life and would shoot anyone else that came into the home.

Shortly before 9:00 PM, the negotiator was able to convince the subject to come out of the residence and surrender.

The subject was taken into custody without incident, and transported by Stone County Deputies to a Springfield Hospital to be mentally evaluated.

Today, reports were turned over to Stone County Prosecutor Matt Selby to review. After reviewing the reports, the following charges were filed on the suspect;

John Curtis Mills, dob 12/19/78, white, male

3 Counts of Unlawful Use of a Weapon
1 Count of Exhibiting a Weapon in a Threatening Manner
2 Counts of a Felon In Possession of a Firearm

The female subject at the scene was also arrested and charged with the following;

Kimberling Sue Mills, dob 8-20-65,white,female
1 Count of Assault 3rd Degree

Richard L. Hill, Sheriff
Stone County