The Sebastian County Sheriff’s office was dispatched to the scene of a domestic disturbance call on Thursday night, March 14. Upon arrival, they found a woman barricaded in the bathroom and an armed man attempting to break down the door.
The SCSO was dispatched to the scene around 10 p.m. at 21409 Highway 71 South. According to the incident report, the call was in regard to a domestic disturbance between a husband and wife, called in by the daughter. When deputies arrived, they found the daughter outside the residence in the driveway screaming “he’s hurting her!”
The daughter stated that her mother was inside with her step-father, Randy Phelps, 63, and he stated if anyone attempted to come inside, he would kill her and himself.
SCSO Deputies Christopher Belt and Allan Chitwood were on scene with Greenwood Police Officer John Michael O’Mara. Law enforcement officers were able to breach a locked back door. Once inside, they heard a screaming coming from a bathroom. Deputy Belt noted holes in the bathroom door, debris, and parts of the door frame lying on the floor. Officers heard a woman screaming repeatedly, “he’s trying to kill me, please help!”
Officers identified themselves and commanded Randy Phelps to come out with his hands up. However, he did not comply. Officers were able to open the door to the bathroom and observed Randy Phelps sitting against the tub with his hands propped up on the side of the tub, stating “shoot me in the head.” Deputy Chitwood was able to pull Randy Phelps to his feet and outside the bathroom, and eventually take him into custody.
Phelps’ wife had possession of a shotgun, which was secured. She told officers her husband was going to kill her if they had not arrived, and that while barricaded in the bathroom, he had stabbed her through the door with a large metal rod in the back multiple times.
While searching the scene, officers located a large knife hidden under some towels inside a decorative wheelbarrow and a 1×6 wooden stick inside the bathtub. Additionally, a shotgun loaded and chambered with shells.
Randy Phelps was interviewed and stated that he and his wife had gotten into an argument but did not know anything after that. According to the incident report, Phelps stated he loved his wife and would never lay a hand on her.
Phelps was transported to the Sebastian County Adult Detention Center and was charged with domestic battery 1st Degree – deadly weapon, aggravated assault on a family/ household member, two counts of battery 2nd degree on a law enforcement officer and criminal mischief.
Phelps’ wife was transported by ambulance to Baptist Hospital. Deputy Chitwood was treated on scene after sustaining several cuts to his left arm due to the broken glass upon forced entry. He was treated on scene.
