Lake Mills standoff suspect agrees to plea bargain

Published 10:37 am Monday, June 2, 2014

NORTHWOOD — A rural Lake Mills man arrested in January after a standoff with police at his home was released from custody this week after agreeing to plead guilty in the case.

Matthew Thomas James Davis

Matthew Thomas James Davis

Matthew Thomas James Davis, 21, is scheduled for a plea hearing June 23 in Worth County District Court. It is unclear what charge he will plead guilty to.

Davis is accused of shooting at officers on Jan. 30 at 4573 Apple Ave., a rural Lake Mills residence just barely on the Worth County side of the line with Winnebago County.

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Worth County Sheriff’s Office deputies responded to the house after receiving a 911 call that Davis was suicidal and had cut himself.

As they approached the house, Davis reportedly shot at them. The deputies returned fire and took cover, calling for backup, leading to a standoff that lasted 4 1/2 hours. A SWAT team and law enforcement from the Iowa State Patrol and Lake Mills Police Department also responded.

The standoff ended with Davis walking out of the home voluntarily. He was taken into custody and flown to Mercy Medical Center in Mason City for self-inflicted wounds.

He was later released from the hospital and taken to the Worth County Jail in Northwood.

His trial had been set to begin June 11 in Northwood.