Police: Man beat wife, barricaded self in house

BLUFFTON, Ind. (WANE) - A Bluffton man is in police custody after allegedly battering his wife and refusing to leave his home at the request of law enforcement, according to the Bluffton Police Department.

Officers responded to the 600 block of West Wiley Avenue around 8 p.m. Wednesday after a woman called 911 claiming her intoxicated husband battered her in their home.

Police said Kyle Souter, age unavailable, Bluffton, was believed to be inside the home but did not comply with officers demands to exit the home.

Bluffton Police Department Sergeant James Mettler said the woman, who called from a neighbor’s house, had visible injuries to her upper torso and neck area. She also sustained some type of leg injury after Souter allegedly pushed her, according to Mettler.

Mettler said Bluffton officers initially went in the backdoor to the porch area to make contact with Souter, but because he was not responding to their commands to leave the home, they pulled back for safety.

Mettler said around 8:45 p.m., Bluffton officers requested assistance from the Indiana State Police with a K-9 officer. ISP and the K-9 officer announced their presence but Souter still refused to exit the home, according to Mettler.

Police said Souter's wife told them he threatened her with kitchen knives and also had an ax.

Around 11:15 p.m., the Indiana State Police Emergency Response Team made entry into the home and found Souter in the attic. Officers tazed Souter and took him into custody, according to Mettler.

No gunshots or flash bangs were used during the incident.

The ax was located in the kitchen and officers said Souter did not have the item near him nor were any other weapons found in the home.

Mettler said a child was present during the initial confrontation with Souter and his wife.

Police have initially charged Souter with domestic battery, a class D felony. Additional charges are pending following a review by the Wells County Prosecutor's Office. Souter is being held in the Wells County Jail.

A class D felony in Indiana carries a penalty of six months to three years in prison and fine up to $10,000.

Mettler said Souter has had previous run-ins with law enforcement, including an incident involving resisting arrest.