Some tense moments for the Jackson County Sheriff’s DepartmentThursday morning after police say a man opened fire and tried to shoot his neighbors.
Around 10:15 am a resident on the 67-hundred block of Coleman Creek Road called the authorities reporting that their neighbor, 41 year old Jon Ware starting shooting at them.
“The neighbors came up to the property to return some items to the homeowner and he just began shooting at them,” said Andrea Carlson, Jackson County Sheriff’s Department.
Authorities from the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department and SWAT team responded to the scene and evacuated the area.
But after two hoursSWAT teams drove onto Ware’s property and he willingly surrendered.
One neighbor says he’s not surprised by Ware’s actions but doesn’t believe he was trying to harm anyone.
“Because i know the situation, he was crying out, because he’s helpless, he needs help and he’s not getting the help he needs,” explained neighbor Ron Lallo.
Ware allegedly had a history of mental illness. And was also in the process of going through a divorce.
The days event’s come just one day after the Jackson County Sheriff’s Department handed out 66 pink slips, which if they go through with the lay-offs would be roughly a third of their department.
Leaving residents like Lallo to consider taking things into his own hands.
“We do not feel comfortable without having ourselves armed properly in this area,” Lallo explained.
Ware sits behind bars at the Jackson County Jail on charges of reckless endangerment, and unlawful use of a weapon, and menacing.
The department confirms Ware had a history of mental illness.
Meantime, his neighbors are wondering if Thursday’s events would have ended differently had the sheriff’s department had already been cut.
© 2024 KOBI-TV NBC5. All rights reserved unless otherwise stated.