Belleville man brandishes gun at Eulonia residents;

then holds up in his home for hours before surrendering

Press Release October 27, 2023

McIntosh County Office of the Sheriff

On Monday, October 23, 2023, at approximately 5:41 p.m., the McIntosh County Office of the Sheriff was dispatched to the area of the 16000 block of Highway 17 in Eulonia for the report of a reckless driver.  A caller reported that a blue Ford F-150 ran over several cones in an active construction zone.  During the response, deputies were made aware of a second complainant reporting an armed individual brandishing a firearm at two persons on a private home site.  Witnesses reported a direction of travel for the vehicle, as it sped away from both scenes, until site was lost of the suspect vehicle.

Deputies canvassed the area in an effort to locate a vehicle matching the description given by multiple callers. The vehicle was eventually located at 1031 Flounder Lane in Belleville.  Patrol deputies confirmed that the vehicle had the same registration as provided by the witnesses.  Patrol deputies then attempted to make contact with the resident, to no avail.  They reported that the lights were on in the residence and believed that the suspect could be inside.  After speaking with neighbors, members of the Criminal Investigations Division arrived on scene. During this time, investigators began to identify the suspect.  As a result, the McIntosh County Office of the Sheriff Special Response Team was activated and brought to the scene. This also prompted the response of the McIntosh County EMS, as a precautionary measure.

While on scene, it was confirmed that the suspect was inside the residence.  The suspect refused to come out initially. Assistance was requested from the Liberty County Sheriff’s Office Special Response Team, as a search warrant was applied for in regard to the residence. Negotiations continued for approximately three hours until the suspect surrendered without incident.  The suspect was transported to a nearby medical facility for a mental evaluation.

Arrest warrants have been secured for Ronald Stephen Reagin, 54 years old, by the Criminal Investigations Division of the McIntosh County Office of the Sheriff.  These warrants are for two counts of Aggravated Assault with Firearm and one count of Violation of Oath of Office. This is currently an active investigation.

The McIntosh County Office of the Sheriff would like to commend the actions of witnesses, as their efforts led to the suspect being identified and the threat to the community neutralized.   Sheriff Stephen D. Jessup would also like to extend his gratitude for the assistance of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the United States Marshall’s Service in bringing this volatile situation to a peaceful resolve.