ATHENS COUNTY, Ohio — The Athens County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to 6th Street in Jacksonville on November 10, 2021, for a domestic dispute.
According to reports, Craig A. Cooper, 54, assaulted his wife. Upon responding, deputies found that the victim had fled the scene. She advised that her husband was making threats of violence including “suicide by cop”.
Cooper allegedly said that he would not leave his home alive. The victim reported that he had multiple weapons inside the house.
Reports say Cooper was asked numerous times to leave the house by patrol units. Athens County Special Response Team was dispatched to the scene due to the escalation of threats of violence.
After SRT arrived, Crisis Negotiators began talking to Cooper over the phone.
During nearly 4 hours of talks, crisis negotiators requested him to come out. In an attempt to safely force Cooper out of the house, SRT officers fired tear gas into the structure. A short time later, SRT entered the residence and arrested Cooper without incident.
Athens County EMS treated Cooper at the scene for exposure to the tear gas. He was later transported to O’Bleness Hospital.
According to Sheriff Rodney Smith, Craig Cooper faces multiple felony charges, including kidnapping and felonious assault. In addition, Cooper may face federal weapons charges, according to the Athens County Prosecutor’s Office. Cooper is currently held on a $500,000 bond.
