The Internal Affairs Division of the Helena-West Helena Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred Saturday night March 6 around 8:25 at the home of Gene A. Robason at 109 Sequoia St.
Robason's son, Roger Robason of Port Nixa, Mo., became alarmed when he had not heard from his dad in four days. He notified police about his concern when he was unable to reach his dad. The son had a friend, Clyde Coley, give police permission to enter his dad's house. After not being able to get anyone to come to the door, the officers forced open the door at Robason's House.
As they entered the house they reportedly called out that they were police officers. No one apparently realized that Robason, a former Ag pilot, has a hearing disability.
Coley reportedly turned on the lights in the Robason living room and called out that he was with police. Officer Michael Thomas turned on the light in Robason's bedroom and saw that Robason was lying in bed with a gun in his hand. At this point, Robason got up out of bed still holding the gun in his hand yelling at the officers to get out of his house.
Officer Thomas said he saw a black handgun come out the door pointed in his direction. At that time Thomas turned his weapon where he saw the gun and fired a single shot in Robason’s direction.
A few minutes later, Robason's ex-wife, arrived at the scene. Johnny Broome, a close friend of Robason, also arrived and asked to talk with Robason.
Broome talked Robason into putting down the gun and he did but was still telling the officers to get out of his house.
Broom said Robason suffered an arm injury.
According to Robason the bullet apparently came through a wall and grazed his arm.
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The Internal Affairs Division of the Helena-West Helena Police Department is investigating an incident that occurred Saturday night March 6 around 8:25 at the home of Gene A. Robason at 109 Sequoia St.
Robason's son, Roger Robason of Port Nixa, Mo., became alarmed when he had not heard from his dad in four days. He notified police about his concern when he was unable to reach his dad. The son had a friend, Clyde Coley, give police permission to enter his dad's house. After not being able to get anyone to come to the door, the officers forced open the door at Robason's House.
As they entered the house they reportedly called out that they were police officers. No one apparently realized that Robason, a former Ag pilot, has a hearing disability.
Coley reportedly turned on the lights in the Robason living room and called out that he was with police. Officer Michael Thomas turned on the light in Robason's bedroom and saw that Robason was lying in bed with a gun in his hand. At this point, Robason got up out of bed still holding the gun in his hand yelling at the officers to get out of his house.
Officer Thomas said he saw a black handgun come out the door pointed in his direction. At that time Thomas turned his weapon where he saw the gun and fired a single shot in Robason’s direction.
A few minutes later, Robason's ex-wife, arrived at the scene. Johnny Broome, a close friend of Robason, also arrived and asked to talk with Robason.
Broome talked Robason into putting down the gun and he did but was still telling the officers to get out of his house.
Broom said Robason suffered an arm injury.
According to Robason the bullet apparently came through a wall and grazed his arm.
