Armed Van Wert Man Surrenders Following Hours-Long Standoff

An hours-long standoff in Van Wert ended peacefully late Tuesday night when an armed man surrendered to law enforcement.

John David Wise, 48, of Van Wert, was taken into custody and charged with aggravated menacing on a police officer and having weapons while under disability. Both charges are fifth-degree felonies.

According to Van Wert Police Chief Doug Weigle, officers were called to North Burt Street at approximately 3:50 p.m. after receiving several reports of a man walking with an AR-15-style rifle and a handgun.

Police located Wise in the 600 block of North Burt Street. Weigle said officers ordered him to stop, but Wise allegedly raised a gun and pointed it at an officer before running into a nearby residence and barricading himself inside.

A crisis negotiator from the Van Wert County Sheriff’s Office attempted to speak with Wise by telephone. Police allege Wise threatened that there would be a shootout and later fired a gun through a window.

The Van Wert Police Department’s Special Response Team established a perimeter as North Burt Street and surrounding areas were closed to traffic. Nearby residents were evacuated.

Drones from the police department and sheriff’s office were deployed, while the Van Wert County Emergency Management Agency provided floodlights. The Ohio State Highway Patrol’s Van Wert Post and the Auglaize County Sheriff’s Office Bearcat also assisted.

Authorities used the Bearcat to break a window at the front of the residence before sending a drone inside to locate Wise. Following several commands from officers, Wise exited the home and surrendered.

Evacuated residents were permitted to return to their homes at approximately 11 p.m.

The charges against Wise are allegations. He is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.