A Santa Rosa County Sheriff's Office deputy who had shot a suspect armed with a cross bow on Oct. 20 will not face charges.
Deputy Kevin Dalgleish, who fired a single shot at Glen Phillips on Oct. 20, was found to be reasonable and justifiable for his action, according to a press release from the Office of the State Attorney.
The Sheriff’s Office responded to the dispute at 7796 Highway 4 at approximately 3:20 a.m. after Phillips’ father called 911 to report his son was under the influence of narcotics and had threatened to shoot him with a crossbow, according to the report.
The father arranged to meet deputies first at a convenience store, but never appeared. He later called back at approximately 6:30 a.m. saying his son would not let him back inside the residence.
Deputies went to the home and obtained sworn statements from Phillips’ father and another witness. The father said his son threatened to kill him while pointing a crossbow in his direction.
The deputies attempted to make contact with Phillips, who was still inside the residence, for over an hour using a public-address system and also by telephone. They gave commands for him to exit the residence with his hands in the air, but he did not.
Once backup arrived, Dalgleish and three more deputies entered the home to arrest Phillips while a sergeant on scene continued to make commands over the P.A. system.
Prior to entering, the deputies announced their identity and heard Phillips say he was “armed and dangerous.”
Deputies found Phillips naked and armed with a crossbow, the report said. Phillips then pointed the crossbow at the deputies and that’s when Dalgleish fired his weapon. The bullet entered Phillips left armpit.
Phillips was immediately escorted out of the home and received first aid. EMS was called to the scene and took him to Sacred Heart Hospital.
A witness next door said he heard Phillips tell deputies he was armed and dangerous, the report said.
Phillips had a different story, according to the report, stating he did point the crossbow at the deputies but threw the weapon on the couch once they identified themselves as deputies. He also said he believed people or aliens may be coming to take a meteorite he had previously located because he believed it was worth a lot of money.
He said he had not taken narcotics prior to the incident. Phillips’ hospital records, however, indicate he tested positive for amphetamines, cannabinoids and benzodiazepines.
Phillips was arrested Monday in relation to the incident. He was charged with aggravated assault with a deadly weapon and three counts of aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer.
