The Chadron man who triggered a nearly 5-hour law enforcement search for an armed suspect across the south end of Chadron in May has accepted a plea agreement.
36-year old Warfield High Hawk pled No Contest in Dawes County District Court this week to 3 felony counts – Terroristic Threats, Possession of a Deadly Weapon by a Prohibited Person, and Attempted Possession of a Firearm while Committing a Felony.
In return, prosecutors dismissed 2 other felonies and 2 misdemeanors. District Judge Travis O’Gorman ordered a pre-sentence investigation and set sentencing for High Hawk for next March.
The incident on May 13 began with a report of an active shooter in the area of Memorial Park. The suspect, later identified as High Hawk, was armed with a rifle and walking south across the east end of the Chadron State College campus.
Although High Hawk fired several rounds at various times and location, none were directed at law enforcement or civilians.
A request by Chadron police for assistance led to multiple agencies sending officers, drones, thermal cameras, canine units, and armored vehicles.
A Code Red alert was sent to residents asking them to shelter in place, lock their doors, and stay calm with Chadron State College ordering a lockdown for those still on campus.
Officers spent some 4 hours trying to contact High Hawk and get him to drop the rifle before he was met by a team of officers with a canine as he walked in the Hidden Valley area south of Chadron, where he surrendered without incident.