BENTONVILLE — Paul Weaver said Monday he prayed his son would survive a standoff with Benton County Sheriff's Office deputies last month.
Paul Weaver is the father of Devin Weaver of Rogers, who was shot and wounded during the Feb. 13 standoff.
AT A GLANCE
The Charges
A Class D felony is punishable with up to six years in prison. A Class C felony carries a prison sentence ranging from three to 10 years. A Class B felony is punishable with a prison sentence ranging from five to 20 years. The enhancement charge could bring an additional sentence of up to 10 years in prison. The Class A misdemeanor is punishable with up to a year in the county jail.
Source: Staff Report
Devin Weaver, 24, is charged with two counts of terroristic threatening in the first degree, a Class D felony; domestic battering in the first degree, a Class B felony; false imprisonment in the first degree, a Class C felony; aggravated assault on a family or household member, a Class D felony; four counts of aggravated assault, a Class D felony; endangering the welfare of a minor in the first degree, a Class D felony; domestic battering in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor; and enhanced penalties for an offense committed in the presence of children.
Devin Weaver's arraignment was scheduled for Monday morning in Circuit Judge Brad Karren's court, but he was not transported to court with other inmates. His arraignment was held later via video from the Benton County Jail. A bearded Weaver, dressed in red and white jail attire, pleaded not guilty to the charges. Weaver is jailed on a $250,000 bond. Paul Weaver was not present in the courtroom for his son's short video arraignment.
Deputies went to Canary Road about 1:30 a.m. Feb. 13 after Devin Weaver's wife, Ashley Weaver, called 911, according to court documents. Sgt. Charles Wells saw Ashley Weaver in the house, "covered in blood." Wells helped her escape, but two children remained in the home with Devin Weaver, who was armed.
Ashley Weaver said Devin Weaver hit her with a shotgun, his fist and stomped her head, according to the probable cause affidavit.
Paul Weaver came to Bentonville on Monday in hopes of seeing his son. He said he received a telephone call from his son during the standoff.
"He said, 'Dad I called to say I love you,"' said Paul Weaver, a resident of Caraway.
Devin Weaver mentioned "suicide by cop" to him during the phone call, Paul Weaver said as he stood on a sidewalk outside Karren's courtroom.
"I told him don't call me and say that," Paul Weaver said. "I told him I did not want to hear the gunshots that could kill him."
Devin Weaver was shot twice during the standoff.
Capt. Nathan Atchison, a SWAT team leader, said he heard a gunshot as he and two other team members approached the home. They went to the garage area and used a car for cover.
Atchison said he heard screaming from the home but couldn't hear what was being said as a negotiator talked with Devin Weaver. Atchison later saw the children come out of the home.
Atchison saw Devin Weaver near the door through his gun's scope and could see the barrel of Weaver's gun coming up as the negotiator continued to talk with Weaver. Atchison fired four or five times through a window, according to the report.
Devin Weaver was shot in the arm and torso and was taken to Washington Regional Medical Center in Fayetteville.
Van Stone, prosecuting attorney, ruled last week Atchison was justified in using deadly force to shoot Weaver.
"I prayed," Paul Weaver said. "It may seem odd to say in this day and time, but I prayed. He (God) heard me that night."
Paul Weaver said his son was in a bad place mentally that day. He said there has been a history of mental and anger issues.
"I love my son," he said.
Ashley Weaver filed for an order of protection Feb. 19. She states in court documents Devin Weaver pointed "a shotgun at me and said he would blow my head off."
She claimed in the petition for the order of protection Devin Weaver came home on Feb. 12 intoxicated and he smashed in their glass door. He then began to beat her and then threatened her with the shotgun before he began to hit her with the weapon.
Ashley Weaver claimed he physically and verbally abused her during the six years they had been together, according to court documents.
The protection order was granted. The order prohibits the couple from having contact with each other.
Karren appointed the Benton County Public Defenders Office to represent Devin Weaver. An omnibus hearing is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. May 29.
NW News on 03/25/2014