MOSCOW MILLS, Mo. — A recently released Missouri man is facing serious charges after allegedly using an 11-year-old girl as a “human shield” and violently assaulting a police officer during a confrontation late Thursday night. The incident occurred around 10:30 p.m. at a trailer park in Moscow Mills, located about 50 miles northwest of St. Louis.
Police were initially alerted to the situation by the suspect’s mother, who called authorities expressing concern that her son, Jeffrey Price, 34, was “not acting right.” This was the second police response to the area that evening; officers had already been called earlier because Price was reportedly banging on the door of a random trailer, mistakenly believing his ex-wife was inside.
When an officer arrived in response to the mother’s call, residents directed her to Price’s location. The officer found him standing in front of another trailer. Despite not living there, Price fled inside as the officer approached. According to a probable cause affidavit, the officer followed him inside and witnessed Price grabbing a young girl by the neck and using her as a “human shield.”
The affidavit states that Price pressed his hand against the girl’s neck, mimicking the action of holding a gun or other weapon. The terrified girl had a “terrified expression on her face,” as described by police. While still restraining the child, Price allegedly lunged at the officer. The officer managed to free the girl, who escaped outside, but Price then launched a brutal attack on the officer, repeatedly striking her in the head with closed fists.
As the struggle continued, Price blocked the door, preventing the officer from escaping. The officer attempted to de-escalate the situation by telling Price that she did not want to harm him, to which he allegedly responded, “I’m an assassin.”
The situation escalated further when two deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office arrived and entered the trailer. After a struggle, the deputies managed to wrestle Price to the ground and tased him before placing him in handcuffs. The officer suffered head injuries, while one of the deputies sustained two broken fingers during the altercation. Authorities also found a small plastic bag containing suspected methamphetamine on Price, according to the affidavit.
Price has been taken into custody, and charges related to the incident are expected. The investigation is ongoing.
