East Texas

By CASEY KNAUPP
Staff Writer

A 28-year-old Whitehouse man pleaded guilty Tuesday to aggravated assault with a deadly weapon for firing a gun during a standoff with deputies.

Kenny Ryan McGlaun pleaded guilty to the second-degree felony just before jury selection in his case was set to begin in 241st District Judge Jack Skeen Jr.’s court. He faces two to 20 years in prison when he is sentenced by the judge on Friday.

Smith County Sheriff’s Lieutenant Craig Shelton said McGlaun and a friend were together Feb. 22 at the victim’s home on County Road 2171, or Willingham Road, to share some alcohol and do some practice shooting until things went wrong. The victim reportedly became fearful for his life and ran to a neighbor’s home, where he called 911, he said.

Shelton said when the first officer arrived on the scene shortly after 2:30 p.m.; McGlaun was standing in the driveway armed with a rifle.

"He turned from the officer and fired a few shots," he said.

Back-up was called and deputies and Whitehouse officers arriving on the scene quickly set up a perimeter. Deputies trained in SWAT tactics surrounded the home and waited. Shelton said McGlaun began shooting in the house and shot multiple windows out of the home.

A negotiator was eventually able to talk him out of the house and he was arrested without further incident, he said.

McGlaun has two prior misdemeanor driving while intoxicated convictions, according to Smith County records.

Staff writer Kenneth Dean contributed to this report.