Seven Hour Standoff Ends In Arrest

Christopher Lee Spencer, 40, (in red shirt) is handcuffed by the KSP Special Response Team.

Pepper Spray Canisters Shot Through Walls and Windows of Home, Suspect Tazed

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
A seven-hour standoff ended this afternoon after a man wanted from a carjacking incident who barricaded himself inside a mobile home in Edmonson County was arrested today.

Kentucky State Police and the Edmonson County Sheriff's Office responded to the 7400 block of Blackgold Road where a suspect wanted by the Bowling Green Police Department and the Warren County Sheriff's Office was assumed to be hiding, after a stolen Chevy Avalanche was found at the residence. 

Various reports stated that the suspect, Christopher Spencer (40), had stolen the vehicle earlier in the morning hours and was involved in an incident with Bowling Green Police. Spencer reportedly fled to the home on Blackgold Rd during the incident. Authorities reportedly pinged the suspect's cell phone, which led them to discover the stolen vehicle. 

The scene at today's 7-hr standoff.

Law enforcement officers from KSP, The Edmonson County Sheriff's Office, and Brownsville Police ​surrounded the structure and began to give verbal commands for the suspect to come out. KSP confirmed that there was movement inside the home and one officer was overheard describing what sounded like furniture being moved around, presumably as a barricade. After no one came from the home, the decision was made to contact the KSP SRT (Special Response Team) in an attempt to remove anyone that was inside. 

KSP SRT armored vehicle.

KSP SRT armored vehicle.

The SRT arrived and utilized a heavy armoured vehicle along with several SRT members and a K-9 Unit. SRT breached the front door of the home and deployed a remote controlled robot which relayed a video signal back to team members.

The windows were broken out of the home and team members fired pepper spray canisters through the windows and walls of the structure. Spencer came to the front door in sight of authorities and according to KSP Public relation officer Jeremy Hodges, he did not immediately surrender.

"He did not. He resisted as he came out the door and was tazed by troopers," said Hodges. He was taken into custody by the SRT.

Hodges said KSP was simply there to execute the arrest warrant from the carjacking incident. Spencer was reportedly wanted for other outstanding warrants in Warren County prior to this incident, with charges including:

• TBUT OR DISP AUTO>$10,000 BUT<$1,000,0000
• ROBBERY, 1ST DEGREE
• ASSAULT, 2ND DEGREE - POLICE OFFICER
• ROBBERY, 1ST DEGREE
• THEFT OF IDENTITY OF ANOTHER W/O CONSENT
• FLEEING OR EVADING POLICE, 2ND DEGREE 
• ASSAULT-3RD DEGREE-POLICE/PROBATION OFFICER
• RESISTING ARREST

Edmonson EMS was also on scene in case medical treatment was necessary. Hodges said Spencer had nothing to say except to refuse medical treatment at the scene.

Holes can be seen where troopers fired pepper spray canisters into the building.

Sheriff Shane Doyle discussed the SRT's execution of removing the suspect from the home.

"We're fortunate to have been able to build a good relationship with the Kentucky State Police and their Special Response Team," he said. "It's always good when multiple agencies come together and we were here to help in any way we could. The SRT is very selective to which calls they respond and thanks to Captain John Clark, with whom we always work well, we were able to utilize their services in Edmonson County."

Spencer was lodged in the Warren County Regional Jail.