Winchester Man in 9-Hour Standoff Posts $2,500 Bail
By: Hayley Mason
Updated: June 26, 2012
FREDERICK COUNTY, VA- New details have emerged in the investigation into the 9-hour standoff in Winchester on June 20. Frederick County Sheriff's deputies say the standoff started with an argument between 47-year old Anthony Michael and his wife. Michael's wife told police she believed he had been drinking. When police arrived at the home on the 100 block of Wilkins Drive, they say Michael waved a gun and told them to leave.
"There was guns laying everywhere, knives laying all over the place.He barricaded some of the doors and windows with the furniture," says Captain Aleck Beeman of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
According to police reports, deputies removed 16 guns from the home, three shell casings, and a bullet lodged in a basement bedroom wall.
Court documents say Michael told the deputies, "You've got to kill me. You'll have to take me out of here in a body bag." Documents also say Michael pointed a rifle and laser at the officers as they tried to leave the home.
Frederick County Sheriff's deputies say they are told Michael was once a boxer and weight lifter who's injuries caused him constant pain. They say he was on several prescription pain killers that he would often mix with alcohol. According to court records, Michael was arrested in 2003 for DUI.
"A lot of people unfortunately you mix alcohol with prescription medication, your judgment gets messed up," says Beeman.
Deputies originally said no shots were fired during the standoff, but are now confirming there was shooting in the basement.
"Depending on the deputies, some say they heard one, some say they heard two. I don't know where the third one came from, we did not hear that many shots," says Beeman. "We do know for a fact that there was one bullet hole in the wall from a shot gun," he adds.
They say there are no signs Michael intended those shots for himself or the officers, but no one was injured. Deputies say Michael was passed out when they finally entered the home. He was taken to the Winchester Medical Center for observation and then transported to the Northwestern Regional Jail.
Michael was granted $2,500 bond, at a bond hearing Monday. Jail officials say he posted bond and has been released. He faces felony charged for assault on a law enforcement officer. A preliminary trial is scheduled for September 11th in Frederick County District Court.
"There was guns laying everywhere, knives laying all over the place.He barricaded some of the doors and windows with the furniture," says Captain Aleck Beeman of the Frederick County Sheriff's Office.
According to police reports, deputies removed 16 guns from the home, three shell casings, and a bullet lodged in a basement bedroom wall.
Court documents say Michael told the deputies, "You've got to kill me. You'll have to take me out of here in a body bag." Documents also say Michael pointed a rifle and laser at the officers as they tried to leave the home.
Frederick County Sheriff's deputies say they are told Michael was once a boxer and weight lifter who's injuries caused him constant pain. They say he was on several prescription pain killers that he would often mix with alcohol. According to court records, Michael was arrested in 2003 for DUI.
"A lot of people unfortunately you mix alcohol with prescription medication, your judgment gets messed up," says Beeman.
Deputies originally said no shots were fired during the standoff, but are now confirming there was shooting in the basement.
"Depending on the deputies, some say they heard one, some say they heard two. I don't know where the third one came from, we did not hear that many shots," says Beeman. "We do know for a fact that there was one bullet hole in the wall from a shot gun," he adds.
They say there are no signs Michael intended those shots for himself or the officers, but no one was injured. Deputies say Michael was passed out when they finally entered the home. He was taken to the Winchester Medical Center for observation and then transported to the Northwestern Regional Jail.
Michael was granted $2,500 bond, at a bond hearing Monday. Jail officials say he posted bond and has been released. He faces felony charged for assault on a law enforcement officer. A preliminary trial is scheduled for September 11th in Frederick County District Court.
