Man with two swords arrested by Shelbyville PD

Tuesday, October 10, 2023 at 7:33 AM

man-with-two-swords-arrested-by-shelbyville-pd

Shelbyville Police responded to a report of a man threatening customers with two swords.

The incident happened on Oct. 4 at the Pilot Travel Center on I-74 and Fairland Road. The first officer on the scene was Officer Travis Kempton, who was advised the man was in a shower stall.

Kempton cleared all the customers out of the hallway and was waiting for other officers to arrive. The man, Matthew Murphy, opened the shower stall curtain and was standing holding two swords. Kempton drew his department issued firearm and ordered him to drop the swords. He did not comply and began looking around during which time Kempton was able to transition to his department-issued Taser and kept giving commands to drop the swords.

The man finally complied and was taken into custody.

During the investigation it was determined that Murphy had taken the swords partially out of their holsters and made threatening moves at customers including backing some into a corner.

Murphy was charged with Intimidation with a Deadly Weapon and Disorderly Conduct. He was taken to MHP for medical clearance and then transported to the Shelby County Jail where he was remanded into the custody of the jail.