Rumored Hostage Standoff Called a Domestic Incident By Police

A domestic situation in O'Fallon on Monday prompted the lockdown of several local businesses and schools.

Officers from the O'Fallon Police Department were called to a home on Brougham Drive, just off Weldon Spring Road, for the report of a domestic disturbance. Because there were concerns about weapons being used, police followed protocol to make sure that everyone would remain safe, O'Fallon Police Officer Diana Damke told Patch.

"There was an initial indication that the subject was armed," Damke said, and officers were staged accordingly. However, when police made contact with the subject, the individual came out of the house. At no time was it considered a standoff, Damke said.

The male subject was issued municipal summonses and transported to the hospital.

Several neighboring businesses and schools were put on lockdown until the situation was resolved.

Kirsten Benson, the owner of Greenbrier Montessori, 7375 Weldon Spring Road, said the school was on lockdown for about an hour and a half. Benson said she was pleased with how her staff handled the incident. "We have a protocol," she told Patch. "My staff is completely trained and knows how to handle these situations," she said.

John Weldon Elementary School, 7370 Weldon Spring Road, was also placed on lockdown, as were Gymquarters and 2Rivers Church, both of which are located across Weldon Spring Road on Hubble Drive.

(An earlier version of this story included a post from the St. Charles County Missouri Scanner Traffic Facebook Page. That quote has been deleted because it contained information that could not be confirmed through official channels. -Ed.)