A Kentucky man, Ernest Shell, age 46, is set for his day in court as he stands accused of assaulting police officers in Medway. Shell, hailing from Cornettsville, was taken into custody after a tense standoff where he was reportedly armed with a knife and had barricaded himself in a bathroom, all while live streaming the event on YouTube. The Medway Police Department reported that officers were dispatched to the location early on a Saturday morning following multiple calls concerning Shell's erratic behavior.
Officers could to make contact with Shell during the incident, and he relinquished his knife without further violence. The Facebook post from the Medway Police Department shared that the livestream had attracted thousands of viewers, with many expressing their concern for both Shell's well-being and public safety. However, following his apprehension, Shell reportedly became combative while at the station, resulting in injury to one police officer. Subsequent to this altercation, Shell was transferred for psychological analysis.
The local authorities initiated a mandatory mental health evaluation, citing concerns about Shell's mental state and behavior. According to the police statement, persons who regularly interact with Shell shared information that contributed to the decision to seek further psychological assessment. Fortunately, Shell did not sustain any injuries during the arrest. He was eventually transported to Bridgewater State Hospital for evaluation.
Shell will have to answer to charges including being a fugitive from justice and assaulting law enforcement officers, as detailed by Chief of Police William H. Kingsbury. The arraignment is scheduled to take place in Wrentham District Court.
