Police: Canton man involved in Friday’s standoff went to homes with an ax
The Canton Township man accused of holding state police at bay during a standoff Friday afternoon allegedly told a neighbor, “I must be off my meds,” after walking around a trailer park carrying an ax.
Matthew D. Evans, 47, of 158 Dorothy Ave., was taken into custody about seven hours after the incident began at the Washington Estates trailer park off Henderson Avenue in Canton just before 2 p.m.
Police were called for a report of a man walking around with a pickax. One resident in the 100 block of Key Avenue told police he was inside his residence when he heard his dogs barking.
The resident said he saw a man, later identified as Evans, open the front door while standing on the porch with the ax. Evans reportedly asked the resident, “Where are the girls?” Evans also allegedly asked the resident why he was shaking and told him to come outside. The resident closed the door, and Evans left.
A short time later, police received another report from a second residence a few doors away on Key about a man trying to open a door with an ax. When asked what he was doing, Evans allegedly said, “This guy’s been messing with me.”
Police said Evans then knocked on the door, and when the resident came out and asked where he lived, the 48-year-old suspect walked away, reportedly saying he must be off his medication.
When police arrived, they said Evans would not cooperate and was seen inside his home armed with a knife and shotgun. At one point, he reportedly came out of his residence with the shotgun. He eventually came out with his hands up about 9:20 p.m. and surrendered to police.
A manager for the trailer park told the Observer-Reporter Friday West had lived there for about 20 years and never caused any problems, calling his actions completely out of character. Evans does not have a criminal history in Washington County, according to online court records. The only complaint against him was a landlord-tenant case filed in May 2015 by Washington Estates.
Evans was arraigned Saturday morning before District Judge Gary Havelka on charges of attempted burglary, attempted criminal trespass and criminal mischief. He was placed in Washington County jail on $25,000 bond. Evans is scheduled for an Oct. 23 preliminary hearing before District Judge David Mark. State police said he will not face any additional charges in connection with the standoff.