Man wanted on Georgia warrant locks self in Scott City basement with gun

A man wanted on criminal warrants out of Georgia had Scott City police, county deputies and highway patrolmen in a short standoff Thursday afternoon.

Barry Bell, 33, contemplated suicide when faced with the possibility of going back to prison, Scott County Sheriff Rick Walter said. Bell was wanted on a Georgia warrant for failure to appear, Walter said. Walter said he did not know what crime Bell would go to prison for.

"He didn't want to go back to prison and thought about ending it all," Walter said.

Bell locked himself in his grandmother's Scott City basement with a rifle and threatened to injure himself. Walter said Bell had no intention of hurting anyone else. No one else was present in the house during the standoff.

Walter and another negotiator stood at the top of the basement steps and eventually persuaded Bell to come out. Police were able to get the man out of the house shortly before 6 p.m. No one was injured in the incident, and no hostages were ever involved.

When Bell emerged from the house, he was immediately handcuffed, but was able to talk to concerned family members.

"When you get out of jail, you can't be doing this again," one woman said as she embraced Bell.

Bell's family and friends declined to comment.

Bell was taken to the Scott County Jail.

Pertinent address:

101 Charles Ave., Scott City, MO