Police reported to a shots fired call in the neighborhood of 650 N. and 200 E. in Price, Tuesday evening.
Captain Bill Barnes with the Price City Police, said his department was dispatched to the scene around 6:15 p.m. Ten neighbors, and an on-duty USU-Eastern campus officer all confirmed they had heard numerous shots fired from theВ a foreВ mentioned residence. Police acted quickly,surrounding the home and В blocking off the neighborhood, advising all residents to stay inside and away from their windows. Carbon County Sheriff’s Department, Utah Highway Patrol, Helper Police and Wellington Police were all present on the scene to assist in the capture of the suspect who was believed to be in the home.
After two hours of trying to make contact with the suspect, 45 year-old Ralph Schade, family members began to filter on scene attempting to assist in the safe apprehension of Schade. Police soon В discovered В Schade was not in the home as once believed, but had slipped out before they arrived. With the help of family members, police were able to contact Schade at a relative’s home in Wellington. Schade admitted to firing shots withing city limits but said he had no intentions of harming anyone, or himself.
USU-Eastern Police Chief Prettyman put the campus onВ lock-downВ to ensure the students’ safety within such close proximity.
” It is amazing something so small can escalate so quickly, and have such an impact on the community, but considering circumstances, residents had every right to be alarmed,” Barnes said.
Police followed the correct procedures to ensure the public’s safety and handled the situation considering the possibility that Schade may have not been alone in the home. Schade was cited with a Class B misdemeanor for discharging a firearm within city limits, further citations could apply after information has been reviewed by the County Attorney’s office. It was notВ apparentВ that drugs, or alcohol contributed to the incident, simply an individual dealing with personal issues, with no intent to alarm other citizens.