Suspect charged in homicide and stand-off in Rocky Mount

ROCKY MOUNT, Mo. (KMIZ)

Miller County prosecutors charged a man with first-degree murder and other charges after a weekend incident in Rocky Mount left one dead.

Terry E. Ewens, 57, of Eldon, Mo., now faces charges of first-degree murder, first-degree domestic assault, first-degree burglary, two counts of first-degree kidnapping and unlawful use of a weapon.

Ewens was arrested and placed in the Miller County Jail after his involvement in a homicide and hostage situation that occurred at 18 Emery Road on the morning of Sept. 5.

Prosecutors charged Ewens on Sept. 11 and set his bond at $500,000 cash or surety.

During the incident, a 71 year-old female was killed and two others, a 51 year-old female and an 83 year-old male, were injured.

Deputies initially responded to a disturbance call just before 4 a.m. Sept. 5, at the residence on Emery Road.

According to Ewens' probable cause statement, he was heard during the incident yelling at someone "call the cops and I will kill them."

After making contact with Ewens, the deputy reported seeing Ewens allegedly point a rifle at law enforcement on-scene.

While deputies found cover, they discovered a 71-year-old woman unconscious and moved her outside.

The sheriff's office said a 51-year-old woman escaped through the garage. Both women were taken to a local hospital where the 71-year-old was pronounced dead. An autopsy was tentatively planned to determine the cause of death for the 71-year-old.

Deputies later learned an 82-year-old man still in the home with Ewens.

According to a news release, law enforcement from the Miller County Sheriff's Office, Lake Ozark Police Department, Camden County Sheriff's Office, and Missouri State Highway Patrol assisted the call by setting up a perimeter by land and water.

Negotiators with Missouri State Highway Patrol Troop F made contact with Ewens by phone and heard around 12:20 p.m. the elderly man being assaulted inside the home.

SWAT officers entered the home and found the 82-year-old being assaulted. Officers then took Ewens into custody.

The release said the elderly man was transported to the hospital with minor injuries. The 51-year-old female was listed in stable condition.

Law enforcement agencies found several guns inside the home.

All of the victims from the incident are related and the suspect is an acquaintance to the family, the sheriff's office said.

The investigation is ongoing and being conducted by members of the Miller County Sheriff’s Office.