MOSCOW MILLS, MO – A recently released convict is facing serious charges after allegedly using an 11-year-old girl as a “human shield” and violently assaulting a police officer at a trailer park late Thursday night.

Authorities were called to the scene around 10:30 p.m. following a distress call from Jeffrey Price’s mother, who reported that her son was “not acting right,” according to an arrest affidavit. Moscow Mills is situated approximately 50 miles northwest of St. Louis.

Earlier in the evening, officers had been summoned to the park when Price, 34, was found banging on the door of a random trailer, mistakenly believing his ex-wife was inside, the affidavit stated.

Upon arriving for the latter call, an officer found Price standing in front of another trailer. Upon being confronted, Price hurried inside despite it not being his residence. The officer entered and witnessed Price grabbing an 11-year-old girl by the neck, using her as a “human shield,” the affidavit reported. He placed his hand against her neck, pretending to have a weapon.

The girl appeared terrified, and Price allegedly lunged at the officer while still holding the victim. The officer managed to free the girl, who fled the scene but then became the target of Price’s violent assault, the affidavit said. Price allegedly blocked the door, preventing escape, and began to beat the officer with closed fists. Amid the struggle, the officer attempted to calm Price by stating she did not want to hurt him, to which he allegedly replied, “I’m an assassin.”

The altercation continued until two deputies from the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office arrived. They subdued Price with a taser and restrained him, though not without injury. The officer sustained head swelling, and one of the deputies broke two fingers in the process. Authorities discovered a small baggie of suspected methamphetamine on Price, according to the affidavit.

Price now faces multiple charges, including two counts each of kidnapping and assault, along with felony resisting arrest. He had been released from prison approximately a week earlier and was on parole for previous convictions of stealing and third-degree domestic assault.