Prosecutor to request evaluation of prison guard in standoff

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A prosecutor says he will request a mental health evaluation for a prison guard who was arrested after a standoff at a southeastern Arkansas prison.

Authorities say the 24-year-old officer barricaded himself inside an observation tower at the Delta Regional Unit in Dermott on Saturday. State police say the guard had access to a rifle and refused orders to leave the tower, leading to the standoff. No shots were fired and no one was injured.

The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reports that the guard faces a commercial burglary charge and an impairing operation of a vital public facility charge. He appeared in court Monday, but hasn’t been arraigned.

Attorney Thomas Deen says he’s seeking the mental health evaluation because the guard didn’t seem to have a purpose for his actions.











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