By Rusty Marks
The Charleston Gazette
CROSS LANES, W.Va. — Kanawha County authorities are waiting to arraign a Cross Lanes woman who allegedly pointed a loaded gun at deputies who came in response to her call for help.
Paramedics went to the home of 58-year-old Clara Ballard of Cross Lanes about 11 p.m. Tuesday after Ballard called 911 for medical help, said Lt. Sean Crosier of the Kanawha County Sheriff’s Department. But when Ballard answered the door, she allegedly threw a cup of ice at the medics before running back inside and locking the doors.
Deputies B.D. Humphreys and J.M. Martin then came to the house to try to talk to Ballard, Crosier said. When she opened the door and deputies tried to speak to her, Ballard allegedly whipped out a pistol and stuck in it Humphreys’ face.
Both deputies ducked behind cover, Crosier said. Ballard went back inside and locked her door.
Deputies tried to negotiate with Ballard over the telephone, but she unplugged the phone, Crosier said. He said she eventually opened the door and allowed herself to be arrested.
Ballard was charged with assault on a police officer and brandishing a weapon. She was taken to Thomas Memorial Hospital for her medical complaint.
Crosier said deputies recovered a 9 mm Kel-Tec pistol from Ballard’s home. The gun was loaded, with a round in the chamber.
Ballard was expected to be arraigned on her release from the hospital.
Copyright 2009 Charleston Newspapers