WEST LIBERTY, W.Va. — A man is behind bars following a tense standoff in the community of West Liberty in Ohio County Friday.
Just before 11:30 p.m. Thursday, a neighbor reported a man, later identified as Ryan Benfield, 40, was walking around the parking lot being disorderly. The apartment complex is off Ennis Drive and is off-campus housing for West Liberty University.
Benfield allegedly pointed a semi-automatic rifle at West Liberty Police Chief Tristan Painter when he arrived to investigate.
Chief Painter was able to move to a covered position and call for backup.
The several deputies from the Ohio County Sheriff’s Department and officers from the West Liberty University campus police arrived at the scene.
Benfield then fled inside his apartment with his wife and two small children.
Officials also mobilized the Ohio County Sheriff’s SRT (Special Response Team) and the Wheeling Police SWAT team, a negotiator, and a drone.
Benfield is then accused of firing an unknown number of rounds at the West Liberty campus police officer who was part of the perimeter.
Benfield allowed his wife to leave the apartment but kept the children inside.
Benfield surrendered at about 7 a.m.
Benfield was taken into custody, and the children were moved to safety.
Benfield has been charged with wanton endangerment with a firearm and child neglect, creating a risk of injury and assault on law enforcement, and is being held in the Northern Regional Jail.
No injuries were reported.
Benfield is in the Northern Regional Jail on $300,000 bail.