Frank Thomas. PC: Fox 11 Online
APPLETON, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – The suspect in a standoff Friday in Greenville told a court Wednesday that despite allegations he pointed a shotgun at another man and threatened officers, he wouldn’t have hurt anyone, and asked to get mental health treatment.
Frank Thomas, 47, faces seven counts in all, including threatening a law enforcement officer and recklessly-endangering safety. During an initial court appearance Wednesday, bond was set at $300,000 cash. He returns to court Monday for a preliminary hearing.
In an unusual move, Thomas addressed Court Commissioner Brian Figy directly.
I don’t think I should be here [jail]. If anything, I should somewhere where they could address what’s going on with my head. I never meant to hurt nobody, and Andy will stand up for me and he will say that himself, that he knows I wasn’t about to hurt nobody but my own self,” Thomas said.
According to the criminal complaint, the man who lives at the home said Thomas had been there for a few days. On Thursday, while drunk, Thomas made threats of death by suicide, and tried to get the resident to shoot him. The victim did not call police, as he was afraid of Thomas and what Thomas would do if he found out the victim called police.
On Friday, Thomas fired a shot in the living room, but no one was injured. Thomas would point the loaded shotgun at the victim, threaten the victim, and threatened suicide.
After police were called to scene, Thomas allegedly threatened to shoot the officers, as well.
Thomas also made repeated statements about being able to shoot any of the cop cars he wanted to. Thomas made additional statements about not wanting to hurt law enforcement or anyone else, but often quickly followed it up with threats that he was able to shoot at law enforcement or their vehicles. Thomas also made statements about him being the only one who was going to get hurt,” the complaint states.
Thomas fired a shot at a police drone being used to track his movements, but did not strike the drone. Eventually, Thomas surrendered.
The Outagamie County Sheriff’s Department ordered a shelter-in-place advisory for residents who lived within 1/4 mile of the intersection where the incident took place.
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