Domestic Disturbance With Weapon Leads To SWAT Response In Merrillville
A Merrillville man is facing felony charges after a domestic disturbance escalated into a barricaded-subject situation in the early morning hours of November 13th.
William C. Smith, 53, of the approximate 3700 block of West 72nd Avenue in Merrillville, is accused of pointing a handgun at his wife during an argument inside their home before retreating upstairs and barricading himself in a bedroom with a 3-year-old child, records state.
According to the probable cause affidavit, officers were dispatched at approximately 1:06 a.m. to the residence for a domestic disturbance. As officers approached the driveway, they reported hearing an argument coming from the closed garage. When they knocked and announced themselves, a woman opened the front door but appeared hesitant, and silently mouthed the word “gun” while making a finger-gun gesture.
Once separated outside, the woman whispered that Smith had allegedly racked a gun, pointed it at her, and threatened to kill her, stating he was upset over “a recent affair and topic of divorce,” documents say. She also told officers her 3-year-old child was inside the home and she feared for his safety.
Moments later, officers heard shuffling and shouting from the front entryway after Smith reportedly attempted to shut the door on police before sprinting upstairs and barricading himself in a northeast bedroom with the child, according to the affidavit.
Officers took cover and held positions until the Northwest Regional SWAT Team arrived to take control of the scene. Smith was observed pacing inside the bedroom and repeatedly looking out the windows during the standoff.
A search warrant was obtained, and after communication with SWAT, Smith ultimately exited the residence and was taken into custody. He was transported to the Merrillville Police Department and later to the Lake County Jail.
During the search, detectives located two Taurus firearm boxes and ammunition in a bedroom closet; however, no firearm was located.
Charges filed November 14,2025
• Intimidation — Where Defendant Draws or Uses a Deadly Weapon (Level 5 Felony)
• Confinement — Victim Under 14 Years of Age (Level 5 Felony)
• Intimidation — Threat To Commit a Forcible Felony (Level 6 Felony)
• Criminal Confinement (Level 6 Felony)
• Neglect of a Dependent — Places Dependent in a Situation That Endangers the Dependent (Level 6 Felony)
• Pointing a Firearm at Another Person — Firearm Unloaded (Class A Misdemeanor)
