Standoff ends with woman’s arrest

The incident began when Monroe City police received reports of a female with a gun near the area of N. Main St. and Court St. Initial reports alerted officers that the woman was armed with an Anderson Arms .223 caliber rifle, possessed a bag of ammunition, was behaving erratically and making multiple verbal threats against others.

When officers arrived on scene, O’Connor had entered her apartment located across Court St. from St. Jude’s Park. Traffic in the area was diverted. As a safety precaution, neighboring residences were evacuated.

“Law enforcement attempted several avenues of contact with the suspect without success initially,” MCPD Chief Zach James stated in a press release.

Members of the police department and Monroe County Sheriff’s Office eventually contacted O’Connor and engaged her verbally in an attempt to resolve the standoff.

“After over 30 minutes of contact, and de-escalating the situation, the suspect in this case was taken into custody without further incident,” James said.

O’Connor was taken to the Randolph County Jail in Huntsville.

In addition to the Sheriff’s Office, MCPD was assisted by the Missouri State Highway Patrol and the Monroe City Fire and Street Departments.

O’Connor has since pleaded not guilty during her first court appearance. According to Prosecuting Attorney Nicole Volkert, during the Tuesday, Sept. 13 appearance with O’Connor’s attorney, James McConnell, whom requested a bond reduction, which was denied. O’Connor continues to be held without bond.

All information and evidence are preliminary, and all suspects are innocent, unless, or until proven guilty in a court of law.