ROSS COUNTY, Ohio — On Wednesday afternoon, deputies responded to a disturbance on Queen Drive involving a man with an altered mental state engaging in a physical altercation with family members.
The Ross County Sheriff’s Office arrived on the scene and reported that the man, Jeffrey Holbert, exhibited erratic behavior throughout the encounter, pulling a gun magazine from his pocket and asking the deputy about a secret government. Deputies, reports say, attempted to calm him, but he ultimately became agitated. Officials say a taser was used to subdue Holbert when he refused to be handcuffed. Following the use of force, the man reportedly refused medical assistance from EMS because they lacked the required clearance to treat him.
A supervisor arrived at the scene, and Holbert was placed under arrest and transported to the Ross County Jail. However, even in custody, deputies said, Holbert continued to act bizarrely and aggressively.
Holbert’s family told deputies they were uncertain about the cause of the episode and confirmed that he did not use drugs.
This incident underscores ongoing concerns about law enforcement’s handling of individuals experiencing mental distress. In the past, situations involving mental health crises have posed challenges for officers, who may lack adequate training or resources to effectively respond.
According to the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI), 1 in 4 fatal law enforcement encounters involve an individual with a serious mental illness. The need for specialized training for officers in dealing with people in mental health crises has become increasingly apparent.