Marble Hill veteran arrested after threatening to harm family, self

MARBLE HILL, Mo. -- A veteran returning to his hometown was arrested Wednesday evening after he reportedly held his family at gunpoint and threatened to harm them and commit suicide at the Woodland Inn in Marble Hill.

Marble Hill police and the Bollinger County Sheriff's Department responded to the call made by the wife of Travis Reed, a Gulf War veteran, according to sheriff Leo McElrath.

"The two had apparently gotten into a disagreement which culminated into a domestic dispute that ended in violence," McElrath said.

McElrath said he knocked at the door, looked in and saw Reed on the bed. Reed's wife was able to answer the door, he said.

"I reached in and grabbed him by the arm and gained control of him," McElrath said.

Reed was then handcuffed behind his back.

Police recovered Reed's weapon, a .45-caliber pistol, which was found under him on the bed. No one was injured.

Reed, his wife, and their two small children were staying at the Woodland Inn while searching for a place to live. Reed had just been discharged from the military in Texas, and was returning to his hometown to resume civilian life.

He was taken to the John J. Pershing VA Medical Center in Poplar Bluff where he was admitted for psychiatric evaluation.

A relative came to take care of Reed's family.

Pertinent address:

301 1st St., Marble Hill, MO