Man threatens police with shotgun

MARTINSBURG - A West Virginia State Trooper responding to a report of a psychiatric patient threatening to burn his estranged wife's home on Tuesday night was confronted by a Falling Waters man armed with 20-gauge shotgun when he arrived at the scene.

In what his superiors have described as an act of bravery, Senior Trooper N.K. Campbell was able to wrestle the shotgun from 37-year-old Steven Eugene Rhoe's hands and prevent him from carrying through with his threat.

"Trooper N.K. Campbell showed extreme bravery and dedication to the preservation of life and property of our Berkeley County residents.

We are grateful that this incident turned out the way that it did, with no one getting injured as a result of the careless actions of Mr. Rhoe," 1st Sgt. E.D. Burnett, Troop 2 District 1 Commander, said Wednesday.

Rhoe was arrested and charged with attempted arson, wanton endangerment, fleeing on foot, brandishing, obstructing a police officer and domestic assault.

On Tuesday at about 7:10 p.m., Campbell and Senior Trooper J.R. Barker of the West Virginia State Police's Martinsburg Detachment responded to 35 Sour Lane in Falling Waters for a report of a psychiatric patient who was threatening to burn down his estranged wife's home, according to news release. Campbell was the first to arrive at the scene, followed by Barker.

When Campbell arrived, he saw a man, later identified as Rhoe, run into his estranged wife's home.

During this time, Campbell overheard Rhoe's estranged spouse state that the man was going into the house to retrieve a gun. As Campbell approached the front of the residence, Rhoe appeared at the front door armed with a 20-gauge shotgun in his hands, police said.

Campbell drew his firearm and began ordering Rhoe to drop the weapon. Rhoe failed to comply with the officer's orders and began to walk around the side of the home, police said. At that time, Campbell again ordered Rhoe to drop the firearm and to stop, however, he got no response from Rhoe, police said.

Rhoe then "picked up his pace" and started heading toward a trailer to the side and rear of his estranged wife's home. Campbell approached Rhoe as he was walking into the trailer and sprayed a burst of pepper spray to the man's face. Campbell then gained control of the shotgun and was able to place Rhoe in handcuffs, police said.

At that time, Barker arrived on scene and assisted with placing Rhoe into Campbell's vehicle.

It was later learned that Rhoe was retreating to the second trailer to obtain shells for his shotgun, police said.

Rhoe was taken to Martinsburg's State Police Detachment where he was processed and taken to the Eastern Regional Jail to await arraignment.