‘I’m an assassin’: Man used ‘terrified’ 11-year-old girl as ‘human shield’ before beating up police officer, cops say

A Missouri man who had just been released from prison allegedly used an 11-year-old child as a “human shield” and then “savagely beat” a police officer, according to cops.

It happened around 10:30 p.m. Thursday at a trailer park in Moscow Mills, which is about 50 miles northwest of St. Louis. Police responded to a call from Jeffrey Price’s mother saying her son was “not acting right,” a probable cause arrest affidavit said. Officers had reportedly responded to the park about an hour earlier because Price, 34, was banging on the door of a random trailer, thinking his ex-wife was inside.

An officer arrived for the latest call and residents pointed to Price’s location, and she found him standing in front of another trailer. She yelled at him and he scurried inside even though he didn’t live there, authorities said. The officer went inside the home and allegedly saw him grab a girl by the neck and use her as a “human shield.”

“Price then placed his right hand up against the victim’s neck, mimicking that he had a gun or other weapon,” the affidavit said.

The girl had a “terrified expression on her face,” cops wrote. While still holding the victim, Price allegedly lunged at the officer. The cop was able to free the girl who ran outside. He then began to “savagely beat” the officer in the head with closed fists, the affidavit said. Cops wrote Price blocked the door as the two continued to tussle. The police officer tried to diffuse the situation by telling him she didn’t want to hurt him. He allegedly responded by saying “I’m an assassin.”

Two deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office entered the home and wrestled Price to the ground, the affidavit said. They finally got him into handcuffs after tasing him, per the affidavit. The officer suffered swelling to the head while one of the deputies broke two fingers, cops said. Officers found a small plastic baggie of suspected methamphetamine, according to the affidavit.

Price is facing a slew of charges including two counts each of kidnapping and assault along with felony resisting arrest. Cops say he was released from prison about a week prior and on parole for stealing and third-degree domestic assault.

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