Pinkston faces charges after standoff with police

A Ste. Genevieve County man was arrested Saturday night after a standoff with police.

Homer Linn Pinkston, 79, has been charged with two counts of first-degree assault on a law enforcement officer, armed criminal action and three counts of unlawful use of a weapon. His bond was set at $200,000.

According to a press release from the Ste. Genevieve County Sheriff’s Department, deputies were asked to check the well-being of a man who was upset with his family and threatened to harm anyone who came to his house.

Two deputies went to the rear door of his house on Roth Road and knocked repeatedly, announcing they were deputies. Deputies could see the man sitting at a table looking at them. When they saw him pick up an item off the table that appeared to be a rifle, they ran back to their patrol cars for cover.

The deputies decided to use their spotlights on their patrol cars to illuminate the house. While positioning the cars, deputies heard gunfire and saw the man at the front window with a rifle aimed toward the deputies. The deputies went toward a wooded area for better cover.

Other deputies, as well as law enforcement from St. Francois County Sheriff’s Department, Ste. Genevieve Police Department, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted, trying to get the man to come out.

Several hours later after attempts to negotiate with the man failed, the Missouri State Highway Patrol was activated. They were able to take the man into custody without “further incident.”