Munhall police officer arrested after standoff in Shaler

A Munhall police officer was arrested Friday after a standoff at his Shaler home during a domestic incident, investigators said.

James Williams, a sergeant and detective, is charged with simple assault and harassment after an argument between he and his wife escalated, according to a criminal complaint.

Police responded to a house on Oakmoor Drive at 7 a.m. after receiving calls of a domestic violence situation.

Officers spoke to Williams’ wife over the phone after she and two children left the house, according to the complaint.

Williams refused to leave the house, prompting Shaler Police to establish a perimeter outside.

Less than a mile away from the school, Burchfield Primary School entered a temporary “secure hold,” meaning nobody could come inside the school and students remained in their classrooms. Parents were notified by email.

Shaler Police Chief Sean Frank said that after multiple attempts to speak with Williams over a loudspeaker, he walked out of the house at 12:10 p.m. to surrender. Frank said that there was no physical force used.

“We’ve learned that (Williams) is a police officer for Munhall Borough and we’ve been in touch with their department and they’re going to be coming over to assist us,” Frank said.

The Munhall Crime Watch Facebook page has Williams listed as a sergeant and detective.

“It appears that we have a person in crisis, and we’re going to do everything that we can to help and to keep the family and community safe,” Frank said

Frank added that Williams and his family will likely be offered counseling.

Frank said that there was more than one gun in a safe inside the home, but did not know how many or what type. Officers are still investigating.