Del City Standoff Ends With Suspect In Police Custody

Staff and Wire Reports

DEL CITY, Oklahoma -- A man who had been involved in a standoff with authorities for about five hours is now in police custody.

Oklahoma County Sheriff's spokesman Mark Myers said Neil Wilfong, 39, went into a home northwest of Rose State College on Tuesday after eluding authorities who tried to arrest him on a complaint of trying to shoot his brother. Wilfong remained in the home Wednesday morning.

Police on the scene said they used tear gas into the home and it did not seem to do anything. Authorities then increased the amount of gas and Wilfong came out of the home and surrendered.

The tactical team was called to the scene at about 3 a.m. The house is believed to be the home of a family friend of Wilfong's. When police arrived there was a woman and child believed to be held hostage, but they were released.

Wilfong reportedly called family members and friends to tell them goodbye and that he would not be taken alive. He apparently called the 911 center with similar messages.

No injuries were reported.

Del Crest Middle School students were asked to go to Del City High School this morning until police cleared the scene. The scene was clear and school resumed as normal by 7:30 a.m.

Neighbors said they got quite a wake up call when they were evacuated early Wednesday morning.

"It was scary. At one point we heard police officers said if shots are fired, they'll probably shoot this way in this direction, so that kind of put us on alert too," said neighbor Tom Gepfert.

Gepfert and several other neighbors were told to evacuate or stay in the back of the house for safety. Resident said they finally breathed a sigh of relief when Wilfong was taken into custody.

"even after I found out he was in police custody, I came back home and saw SWAT officers still behind our house and behind us. So it was either they haven't gotten word, but it was still a little bit scary," Gepfert said.

Cleveland County District Attorney Greg Mashburn said he will be filing four charges against on Wilfong, including one count of assault with a dangerous weapon, one count of possession of a firearm after a former conviction of a felony, one count of possession of a firearm while in commission of a felony and one count of unauthorized use of a vehicle.