Two people from Ava are in police custody accused of several felonies, including being in possession of a pipe bomb.
35-year-old Joshua Bettis and 40-year-old Tabitha Medlock were arrested late Monday night, July 17.
A neighbor had called in a report of shots fired after alleging they heard a gunshot go off inside the home.
When police arrived, Bettis was yelling outside the home. He was ordered to surrender to police, and after a short standoff cooperated, along with Medlock.
Investigators searched the home, discovering numerous firearms, hundred of rounds of ammunition and bulletproof vests.
During the search, one member of law enforcement conducted a search of an ammo can, which contained a pipe bomb.
The bomb squad was called in to inspect and defuse the bomb.
Bettis is charged with:
- Three counts of first-degree assault
- Three counts of armed criminal action
- One count of unlawful possession of a weapon
- One count of unlawful use of a weapon
Medlock is facing one felony count of unlawful possession of a weapon.
Both suspects are scheduled for a bond reduction hearing on Friday, July 28.