Man arrested after firing projectiles at police during standoff

A man was arrested Monday night after allegedly firing spheres that resemble Pepperballs at police officers during a nearly four-hour standoff at an apartment complex near South Braden Avenue and East Skelly Drive.

Police say Matthew St. Jean was taken into custody shortly before 10:30 p.m. and faces multiple charges, including five counts of aggravated assault and battery on a police officer, threatening an act of violence, domestic assault with a dangerous weapon, resisting arrest, and obstruction.

The incident began around 6:30 p.m. on Monday, when police received a report of a woman yelling for help at the complex. Minutes later, another 911 call came in from a woman who said her boyfriend, later identified as St. Jean, was shooting what she believed to be Pepperballs at her inside the apartment. She was able to escape by jumping out of a front window.

Police spoke with St. Jean by phone, but he refused to come out. When more officers arrived, St. Jean allegedly began firing spheres that resembled Pepperballs at them from inside the unit.

An officer then fired Pepperballs back at St. Jean, hitting him in the hand.

Officers secured a warrant and repeatedly ordered him to surrender, but he remained inside.

Officers then deployed Pepperballs into the apartment before making entry. St. Jean was found lying face down on a bed and was taken into custody without further incident.

He was first transported to a hospital and then booked into the Tulsa County Jail.

Police recovered the launcher used during the standoff and clarified that the device was not a law enforcement-grade Pepperball weapon.

No officers were injured during the incident.