SIDNEY, Neb. – A heavy law enforcement response in Sidney on Monday afternoon was prompted by reports of shots fired and a possible armed man barricaded in a home, according to the Sidney Police Department.

At approximately 3:45 p.m. on Aug. 25, officers from the Sidney Police Department and deputies from the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office responded to the area of 12th and Maple Street after an individual fired three shots inside a home and claimed another armed man was inside.

The suspect, identified as 40-year-old William S. Reed, was found outside the residence and taken into custody. Because of the possibility of a second armed person, law enforcement established a perimeter and treated the event as a high-risk incident to protect the public and first responders. After repeated attempts to make contact with the reported second individual, officers entered the residence and confirmed no one else was inside.

A search warrant was later obtained, leading to the seizure of firearms, items related to firearms, drugs and paraphernalia. Reed was transported for a medical evaluation before being booked into the Cheyenne County Jail. No injuries were reported.

Charges filed include felony possession of a controlled substance, possession of a deadly weapon during the commission of a felony and possession of drug paraphernalia.

Sidney police thanked the Cheyenne County Sheriff’s Office, Sidney Regional Medical Center Ambulance and the Sidney Fire Department for their assistance.

The investigation remains ongoing.

All individuals are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.