Prelim set June 9 for standoff case on Key St.

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A man who is charged with inducing panic after allegedly barricading himself inside a house on Key Street in Hillsboro Saturday and engaging in a standoff with local law enforcement agencies will appear in court June 9.

On Tuesday, according to Hillsboro Municipal Court records, Lawrence Legg, 32, was arraigned on charges of inducing panic and obstructing official business, both listed as first degree misdemeanors. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for 9:30 a.m. June 9.

Hillsboro Police Chief Todd Whited said police received a call shortly before 6 p.m. of men arguing and gunshots fired. Whited said three separate neighbors later verified the same information, and police also verified that a gun is routinely kept at the residence, leading police to surround the small white house utilizing the Special Response Team, made up of officers from Hillsboro and Greenfield police departments.

The Highland County Sheriff’s Office was on the scene, including Sheriff Donnie Barrera. Paint Creek Joint EMS/Fire District personnel were also on the scene.

Whited said that numerous attempts were made to contact the individual inside, with no response, other than officers able to detect window blinds being moved.

Police fired the first beanbag shot at 7:31 p.m. Numerous shots could be heard throughout the ordeal, but Whited said the gunfire involved beanbag rounds fired by officers knocking out windows in the home. Pepper spray was also entered into the residence, said the chief, which ultimately forced Legg outside.

Later, several more shots were heard even after Legg was brought from the residence as officers continued firing beanbag rounds at windows to gain access. Whited said those rounds were fired because Legg said that another individual was still in the house, which turned out to be untrue.

As the event unfolded, small crowds of people gathered at various locations near the scene, causing police to constantly motion bystanders to back away.

Reach Gary Abernathy at 937-393-3456 or on Twitter @abernathygary.

Law enforcement officers can be seen at right shielding themselves behind cruisers, with a Special Response Team officer leaning against the white building at left, during Saturday’s standoff on Key Street in Hillsboro.
http://aimmedianetwork.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/33/2016/05/web1_key-street-follow.jpgLaw enforcement officers can be seen at right shielding themselves behind cruisers, with a Special Response Team officer leaning against the white building at left, during Saturday’s standoff on Key Street in Hillsboro. Gary Abernathy|The Times-Gazette

By Gary Abernathy

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