A man wanted on felony charges in Spalding County was arrested Wednesday afternoon after fleeing from police officers responding to a domestic dispute in Barnesville.
At approximately 3:17 p.m., officers with the Barnesville Police Department were dispatched to the Budget Inn on Veterans Parkway in reference to a domestic dispute in progress. Upon arrival, officers learned the individuals involved had left the scene in a vehicle.
Officers located the vehicle across the street in the Ingles Market parking lot and made contact with the couple. While officers attempted to separate the individuals due to the ongoing argument, the male subject ignored officer commands and fled the scene on foot toward the wooded area behind Ingles.
Law enforcement secured the wooded area and deployed a drone to assist in the search. School Resource Officers were also notified due to athletic activities taking place at Lamar County Middle School. Practices at Aldora Field and the tennis complex were paused while the search was underway, and student-athletes were taken inside LCMS as a precaution.
The male subject was later apprehended by law enforcement and identified as Howard Shane Patterson of Pike County. Authorities confirmed Patterson is currently wanted out of Spalding County on felony charges. The Barnesville Police Department is also pursuing additional charges related to Wednesday’s incident.
The Barnesville Police Department expressed appreciation to the Lamar County Sheriff’s Office for their assistance and use of a drone during the search.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Grant Turner is the editor of the Barnesville Buzz and an educator, coach, and writer based in Barnesville, Georgia. He shares stories that bridge community, faith, and personal growth. In addition to teaching and coaching, Grant is Director of Musical Worship and a Sunday School teacher at New Hope Baptist Church in Zebulon, Georgia. He lives in Barnesville with his wife, Haley.
