CLAY COUNTY, Ind. (WTWO/WAWV) – According to Sgt. Matt Ames of the Indiana State Police, Shannon BJ Jeffers, a Clay County inmate who had escaped from Union Hospital earlier Tuesday, has been recaptured and taken into custody. The Terre Haute Police Department also confirmed that he is back in the hands of authorities.
Jeffers had been barricaded in a home near 7th and Spang Streets in Terre Haute before his capture.
Terre Haute Police Chief Shawn Keen reported that police had set up a perimeter around the home and that Jeffers indicated to them that he had a firearm. The Special Response Team deployed pyrotechnics and shortly thereafter, Jeffers exited the home.
The Clay County Sheriff’s Office had earlier reported that a jail staff discovered Jeffers in a holding cell with lacerations on his arm early Tuesday. The inmate was taken to Union Hospital in Terre Haute, where during treatment he assaulted a correctional officer and was able to escape the facility.
Jeffers was also involved in a standoff with law enforcement earlier this month at a hotel in Clay County. Authorities were attempting on Dec. 4 to serve a warrant on him at the Best Western hotel when he fired one shot through the door. Officers retreated, and immediately evacuated all hotel employees and occupants from the hotel for their safety.
Law enforcement officers deployed several methods including tear gas, flash bangs, pepper balls and other tactical techniques to try to end the standoff. Eventually, authorities removed the door hinges to the hotel room. While these tactical techniques were in use, the suspect continued to fire additional shots towards officers before eventually peacefully surrendering to the Indiana State Police South SWAT team.
Jeffers was in the Clay County Jail for several felony charges, including attempted murder during the hotel standoff.
