Shot fired by police during hostage encounter

A Cape Girardeau man is facing charges of false imprisonment, domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon after he held his family hostage at gunpoint, police said.

Cleties Allen Ford, 39, of 1825 Dumais Dr., held police at bay with a handgun late Wednesday, threatening to kill himself and others in the home, officers said.

In the house with Ford were his wife, Penny, two adult children and a 9-year-old, police said.

Officers gave this account:

Police were called to the scene about 10 p.m. by someone in the house.

When officers arrived, Ford, armed with a handgun, stepped out the front door and was confronted by police, who ordered him to surrender.

He tried to go back inside, but the door was locked.

Patrolman Daniel "Ty" Metzger fired a shot at Ford as he forced his way back inside. Metzger's shot hit the door at waist level. At that point, Ford dropped his gun.

Police chased Ford into the house and learned Ford had a second gun. When officers ordered him to drop the weapon, Ford surrendered.

"He's lucky to be alive," Sgt. Rick Schmidt said. "They all are."

No one was injured in the incident, Schmidt said.

The situation blew over so quickly, Ford was in custody before Schmidt and a special response team arrived.

Schmidt is the department's hostage negotiator.

Ford is charged with three counts of false imprisonment, and one count each of domestic assault and unlawful use of a weapon. He is in Cape Girardeau County jail in lieu of $100,000 bond.

Department policy requires an investigation whenever an officer fires his weapon or uses force in any manner to make an arrest, said police chief Steve Strong.

All shooting incidents are reviewed by an internal professional standards review team. If a suspect or bystander is injured or killed, officers are placed on administrative leave until the investigation is complete.

abuchanan@semissourian.com

335-6611, extension 160