Jefferson City man charged in weekend standoff

A Jefferson City man was charged Monday after a standoff with police over the weekend.

Cole County prosecutors charged Paul High with unlawful use of a weapon, armed criminal action and domestic assault.

ABC 17 News reported that officers responded to the 100 block of Havana Street around 9 p.m. Saturday.

“Saturday night I heard gunfire about three shots, and then I realized that it was gunfire and I locked my back door,” said Tina Wright, who lives on Havana Street.

Police said a man at the home fired multiple gunshots into the air during a domestic dispute. Other people in the home were able to get out safely and call 911.

When officers arrived, High would not come out of the home.

“They were trying to get him to come out and they kept saying his name and he wouldn’t come out,” Wright said. “And it took about an hour.”

After the standoff with the JCPD SWAT team and negotiators, High eventually surrendered.

Court documents obtained by ABC 17 News say that after police arrested High, he admitted to getting into a fight with a woman in the home.

The victim reportedly kicked him in the groin. That was when High got his 9 mm pistol and pointed it at her head.

High then went outside and fired two shots into the ground.

But the woman told police she slapped High only after he pointed a gun at her.

Neighbors told ABC 17 News they still felt safe living on Havana Street, even after the incident.

“He’s always been real friendly and said hi and everything when he sees ya outside and stuff,” Wright said. “And I was just way surprised that he did that.”

“I mean, seemed just like a normal guy,” said Cameron Carroll, another neighbor. “But at the same time, I mean you always want to have your guard up. Anything can happen at any time.”

A court date for High has not yet been set.