Published: November 04, 2007 12:35 am      

Standoff in Keyser ends peacefully

KEYSER — A city man upset over a judge’s recent decision regarding the custody of his two children held police at bay for more than four hours Saturday morning.

The tense standoff ended when William Kuhlman Jr., of 416 S. Main St., was taken into custody without incident. No shots were fired and no one was injured, police said.

“We’re very satisfied with the outcome,” said Keyser Police Chief Karen Shoemaker. “That’s the outcome that you want.”

Kuhlman was taken to the Mineral County holding facility to await an appearance before a county magistrate.

Police were called to the home around 2 a.m. Saturday in response to a report of a domestic dispute involving a firearm. The call to authorities came from outside the home, police said.

Kuhlman confronted two Keyser City Police officers upon their arrival, then aimed the weapon toward himself, police said.

Shoemaker said the weapon, a .45-caliber handgun, was loaded “at one point” but couldn’t confirm it was loaded throughout the ordeal.

After the initial confrontation and “several minutes of negotiation,” Kuhlman retreated back into the house where his fiancé, Marie Winebrenner, remained. Police said Winebrenner and Kuhlman lived together at the residence.

Keyser police, along with West Virginia State Police Special Emergency Res-ponse Team, the Mineral County Sheriff’s Department and Potomac State College campus police evacuated about a half-dozen families from the immediate vicinity. They were permitted to leave the area in their vehicles.

Shoemaker said police drove some people to the police station, where families members picked them up.

At some point during the situation, Winebrenner was safely with police — but she didn’t stay behind that protection, Shoemaker said.

“She actually went back in (with Kuhlman) against the officers’ wishes,” Shoemaker said.

Shoemaker said while at no time was Winebrinner considered a hostage, police “were concerned for her safety.”

Keyser City Police Patrolman Ernie Miller and state police Sergeant John Droppleman served as negotiators. Shoemaker said Kuhlman was “familiar” with Miller and requested his presence. Droppleman had completed hostage negotiation training.

About 6:30 a.m., Kuhlman “exited the residence and surrendered to authorities,” police said.

Shoemaker said the evacuated families were notified “immediately” and allowed to return to their homes.

Contact Kevin Spradlin at kspradlin@times-news.com.