Lawrence man arrested in Father’s Day standoff will be charged Monday

An Ousdahl Road neighborhood was shaken Sunday by a six-hour Father’s Day standoff that ended in one man’s arrest.

Neighbors awoke Sunday morning to learn that Lawrence police were involved in the standoff that began about 5:30 a.m. at a duplex unit at 2438 Ousdahl Road. Ronnie James Clark, 48, who lives at the duplex, was accused of threatening a person inside the home with a rifle, according to Lawrence Police Sgt. Trent McKinley. That person, whom McKinley would not identify because it was a domestic violence incident, was able to leave the home uninjured about 5:20 a.m.

Police then communicated with Clark, who was aware they were outside the duplex, McKinley said. But for the next six hours, Clark did not again respond.

No one else was in the home during the standoff, and law enforcement officers did not attempt to enter the house, in part because there were indications that Clark might not have been conscious or awake, McKinley said.

“The thought was if he was in there sleeping, we didn’t want to push this particular issue,” he explained.

At least four police vehicles were in the neighborhood, and law enforcement officers, several with rifles, surrounded the duplex. An armored vehicle and a K-9 unit arrived about 10:15 a.m.

Periodically throughout the standoff, police asked over a loud speaker that anyone in the house “exit the front door slowly with your hands up.” Family members of Clark who were waiting outside the duplex also tried to call and text his cellphone.

Finally, just after 11:30 a.m., a shoeless Clark emerged from the house and surrendered to officers who were outside, McKinley said.

“I love you, happy Father’s Day,” his daughter called to him as he was taken into police custody.

At least four neighbors, including Marsha Morris, who lives on the other side of the duplex, said they were evacuated from their homes by police at 6:15 a.m. She said Clark had lived in the duplex for about two years.

Carla Brown, another neighbor, said she had spent part of Saturday evening with Clark and a group of people at a local bar.

He was being held in the Douglas County Jail without bond Sunday night. Charges would not be filed until Monday, when Clark is able to see a judge, McKinley said.