MOUNT VERNON — A Mount Vernon man was arrested and a firearm seized after a Friday afternoon standoff in the city that led to the evacuation of the Knox Learning Center.
Justin L. Ross, 34, of 806 West Vine Street, was taken into custody and is being held without bond after being charged with two counts of Aggravated Menacing, and one count of Telecommunications Harassment, according to Mount Vernon Police Chief Robert Morgan.
“On Nov. 21 at approximately 10:30 a.m., a patrol officer from the Mount Vernon Police Department responded to a report of threats being made to several individuals,” Morgan stated in a press release.
While an officer was investigating the incident, Ross “made repeated threats of physical harm and death directed towards several persons,” Morgan said. “Information was also received that the suspect was in possession of multiple firearms.
“When officers approached the suspect’s residence [806 W. Vine Street] at approximately 11:30 a.m. in the 800 block of West Vine Street to serve the arrest warrant, the incident escalated into a standoff with the armed and barricaded suspect.”
Due to the close proximity to the Knox ESC Learning Center, staff were immediately notified, the school was placed on lock down, and evacuation procedures began.
The school was completely and safely evacuated by 12:15 pm. Students and staff were taken by bus to the Mount Vernon High School field house.
According to the Mount Vernon Common Pleas Court’s online records, Ross does not have any prior criminal cases filed against him.
Morgan said the Mount Vernon Police Department Emergency Services activated and responded to the scene after law enforcement established a perimeter around the property.
After about two hours of communication between law enforcement and Ross, the suspect came out of his residence and surrendered himself to officers without incident at 1:35 p.m., Morgan said.
Mackley thanks law enforcement and others
Ross was apprehended and transported to the Knox County Jail.
“As of this release, at least one firearm was seized and removed from the residence, and a search warrant is being prepared for the home,” Morgan stated in the press release attached at the bottom of this story. “This incident is still under investigation by the Mount Vernon Police Department, and further charges may be forthcoming.”
Timm Mackley, Superintendent of the Knox Educational Service Center, spoke with Knox Pages after all students had been reunified with their families.
“Thank you to the Mount Vernon Police Department, Amy Seward at the Knox County Emergency Management Agency and Bill Seder and Mount Vernon City Schools for keeping everyone from the Learning Center safe,” Mackley said.
Mackley also thanked the students and staff at the Learning Center for moving so smoothly and reiterated how thankful he is that everyone stayed safe during the evacuation.
MVPD detectives, the Knox County Sheriff’s Office and the Knox County Dog Wardens Office also assisted MVPD officers during the incident.
Below is Chief Robert Morgan’s full statement.