“Officers were at the scene of the shooting, and this individual arrived brandishing an edged weapon and entered the crime scene,” said Jacksonville’s police chief.
Oct. 19, 2021 – By David C.L. Bauer – Source Jacksonville Journal-Courier, Ill.
A bizarre confrontation between police at a crime scene and a man wielding a hatchet ended with his arrest after two officers were head-butted and one of them was tackled.
Dallas E. Lashmet, 31, homeless, was being held Tuesday on charges of aggravated battery of a peace officer and resisting or obstructing an officer.
Lashmet is accused of entering a crime scene in the 600 block of South Prairie Street armed with a hatchet and refusing to comply with officers. Police were there about 10:04 p.m. Monday to investigate a report of shots being fired.
Lashmet reportedly walked past police cars with their lights activated that were being used to block access to the location.
“Officers were at the scene of the shooting, and this individual arrived brandishing an edged weapon and entered the crime scene,” Jacksonville Police Chief Adam Mefford said.
The man was acting irrationally and causing concern for the officers, according to reports.
After ignoring commands to put down the weapon, the man head-butted and tackled one officer and then head-butted a second, according to police reports.
In the end, “a potentially very dangerous situation was de-escalated and they got him to put down his weapon and were able to take him into custody,” Mefford said.
Lashmet was evaluated at the scene before being taken to the Morgan County jail. Neither of the officers was seriously injured but suffered some minor scrapes and bruises.
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