East Palestine Police Department Press Release 9 February 2023 ‘On February 8th, 2023, Detective Haueter was present with other law enforcement officers at a press conference being held by the Governor of Ohio and other Public Safety Officials atthe Elementary School Gym. This press conference was being held to inform. the residents of East Palestine of the safety plan for returning to their homes post evacuation. Evan Lambert-MeMichael was reporting, live from the rear of the gymnasium while the press conference was being conducted at the front ofthe gymnasium, ‘Lambert-MeMichae!’s live reporting was loud, and two State Highway Patrol Troopers along with Adjutant Major General Harris from the National Guard went back and advised them to stop their live reporting in an effort to ensure that all members of the media Were getting the necessary safety information. ‘An argument then ensued between the general and Lambert-MeMichael, which was now disrupting the press conference. The general informed officers that Lambert-McMichael was coming at him, in an aggressive manner, General Harris feeling threatened pushed Lambert-McMichael away. Sheriff Brian Mclaughlin, Chief Deputy Jen Tucker, and Lt. Caleb Wycoff along with Det. Haueter then went back and advised Lambert-McMichael that he needed to leave the gymnasium because at that point in time the situation evolved into a physical confrontation and required law enforcement intervention. The East Palestine Police Department and the Columbiana County Sheriff's Department only responded to that area of the gymnasium because the situation between Lambert-MeMichac] and the adjutant general had escalated, Lambert-McMichael advised the officers that he was not leaving and was again advised by all three officers to leave the gymnasium. In an effort to deescalate the situation, Lambert-McMichael was asked to step outside and talk with an Ohio State Highway Patrol ‘Trooper. Det. Haueter also asked Lambert-MeMichael to step outside and talk yet Lambert-MeMichael refused. ‘The East Palestine School District building and transportation supervisor advised Lambert-MeMichael to leave the building and again Lambert-McMichael refused. With all reasonable means to deescalate exhausted, Det. Haueter and Chief Deputy Tucker attempted to escort Lambert-McMichael from the building so the press conference and safety plan announcement could continue without delay. Lambert-MeMichael was advised he was being arrested, and while escorting Lambert-MeMichael out, he attempted to pull away and was then placed under arrest for criminal trespassing at which time he resisted arrest. During the struggle, Lambert-McMichael was taken to the ground by Det. Haueter and Chief Deputy Tucker in an effort to maintain control of Lambert-McMichael while preventing injury to the involved parties. While on the ground, Lambert-McMichael was not listening to the officers and was attempting to get up. Lambert-MeMichael eventually complied with the officers, stopped resisting arrest and was transported to the ‘county jal by the County Sheriff's office, There will be no further comment from the East Palestine Police Department regarding this incident as we assist our residents and our ‘community through the post evacuation process. Our dispatch center is inundated with eals for service and will have no additional media information. We ask that you allow our dispatchers and first responders to assist our residents through the re-entry and air monitoring process. =I J.C. Brown IIT — Chief of Police