BENTONVILLE -- A Bella Vista police officer will need surgery to remove a pellet from his wrist after being shot, according to court documents filed Thursday.
Sgt. Ross Conn was one of the officers who went to Witham Lane at 4:36 a.m. Wednesday, according to a probable cause affidavit. A neighbor had reported that Laurianne Demers, 50, was shooting at a neighbor's house.
Conn knocked on Demers' door and asked her to step outside, according to the affidavit. Demers emerged carrying a rifle and lowered the gun in Conn's direction, police said. He saw that the gun was a BB or pellet gun and moved to take cover, but Demers shot him in the right wrist, according to the affidavit.
Conn was taken to Mercy Hospital in Bella Vista and will undergo surgery, according to the affidavit.
Police arrested Demers on charges of battery, terroristic threatening and disorderly conduct. Benton County Circuit Judge Robin Green decided at a hearing Thursday that there was probable cause to detain Demers.
Green reviewed the probable cause affidavit and cited the claim that Demers was shooting at a house.
"I was not shooting at a house," Demers said.
Demers also told the judge that she hadn't been allowed to call a lawyer, and the judge asked deputy prosecutor Joshua Robinson to make sure Demers could contact an attorney.
Green noted that Demers was previously acquitted in a criminal case because of mental disease or defect.
The judge set Demers' bail at $50,000 and ordered her to wear an ankle monitor if she is released from jail. The judge also told Demers that she can leave her home only for an emergency or to meet with her attorney.
Green also ordered Demers not to possess any weapons or firearms.
Demers' arraignment is scheduled for April 1.