Suicidal man arrested after scuffle with cops

EPHRATA — A suicidal Ephrata man has been taken into custody after a scuffle with officers Thursday morning.

According to the Ephrata Police Department, officers responded to an apartment complex after Kevin Webley, 34, was reported to be despondent and suicidal. According to Ephrata Police Chief Joe Varick, Webley was at the C St. SE home of a woman who had filed a protection order against him.

Officers responded to the apartment shortly before 6:20 a.m. Thursday.

Webley ignored officers' commands to get on the ground after officers learned he might be armed, but he was eventually tackled to the ground by officers. An EPD press release state that Webley had advanced on officers with the apparent intent of assault. A handgun fell out of Webley's pocket during the ensuing struggle, according to the EPD.

After Webley was taken into custody, officers determined the gun was a non-firing replica handgun. Varick said one officer suffered minor injuries to his hand in the struggle with Webley.

Webley has been booked into the Grant County Jail on charges of violating a protection order, but Varick said other charges are pending. Officers have also referred the case to Grant County Mental Health. According to the EPD, Webley has an extensive history of criminal activity. It has not been determined if Webley was under the influence of any substances during the incident.

Varick said in a press released that all the officers involved should be "commended in their response to a potentially dangerous situation for their professional handling of the incident."

The situation remains under investigation.