Liberal man charged after domestic

On 2/19/22 at approximately 0629hrs a Deputy with the Barton County Sheriff’s Office was dispatched to an address in Liberal, Mo. The Deputy in route was advised by Barton County 911 Dispatch that it was a physical domestic in progress with a firearm involved. Once the Deputy arrived on scene it was learned that the suspect was no longer on scene and that the suspect had stolen a vehicle and fled.

The Deputy arrived on scene and learned that the suspect had assaulted the victim and discharged a firearm within the residence while three children were present in the home. The Deputy learned later that the stolen vehicle had been located and recovered in Sheldon, Mo. After an extensive investigation in to the incident the Deputy found probable cause to charge the suspect in the incident. Deputies searched the area for the suspect while also working with Vernon County Sheriff’s Office in effort to locate the suspect.

On 2-20-22 at 1920hrs, Deputies were given information on the whereabouts of the suspect involved in the domestic. The Deputy responded to the address of 309 N. Hill St. Liberal, Mo. The Deputy on scene located the suspect in the bedroom of the residence. When the Deputy gave the suspect commands the suspect refused to comply and remained in the bedroom. There was also fresh information received that the suspect maybe in possession of more firearms. The Deputy called for assistance and other Deputies were called to the scene to assist.

Upon assessing the situation, the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office was called to assist. Vernon County sent members of their Special Response Team to the scene to assist. Also requested was Missouri State Highway Patrol. Once on scene the team entered the residence and began to give commands to the suspect in which he refused to exit the bedroom. At this time chemical agents were deployed through various methods. After approximately a two hour standoff the suspect exited the room and was taken in to custody without further incident. The suspect was later transport to the Barton County Jail where he was placed on a 24hr hold for investigation while charges were submitted to the Barton County Prosecutors Office.

The suspect is identified as Joseph Barger of Liberal, Mo and has been formally charged with the following charges:

1.Domestic assault 1st degree Class B Felony

2.Armed Criminal Action Unclassified

3.Endanger Welfare of a Child Class D Felony

4.Endanger Welfare of a Child Class D Felony

5.Endanger Welfare of a Child Class D Felony

6.Stealing Class D Felony

We want to thank the Vernon County Sheriff’s Office for their quick response along with the Missouri State Highway Patrol. This was good work by all involved and most of all a potentially violent situation was resolved peacefully without any injuries to the suspect or Officers.