Roderick Ellis appeared in court Tuesday morning by video conference from the Buchanan County Jail for charges stemming from last week’s 11-hour long standoff at Motel 6 in St. Joseph.

Ellis, 44 of St. Joseph is charged with felonies for kidnapping, first-degree domestic assault, and armed criminal action.

According to court documents on Oct. 14 Ellis forced the victim identified by police as Rebecca Urban, 41 of St. Joseph at gunpoint to take him to Motel 6 after jumping from the bushes and surprising her where she worked in the 4000 block of Gene Field road.

“The defendant pointed a loaded firearm at the victim and made her park the vehicle,” Detective Jeff Pearl with the St. Joseph Police Department said. “When they arrived at that location the victim screamed for help and the defendant shot her in the right forearm causing serious physical injury.”

Pearl said Ellis then forced her to go into room 205 and held her in the room for more than 11 hours refusing to allow her to leave or gain medical attention.

“During this time the defendant held the victim at gunpoint and threatened to kill her several times,” Pearl said.

When officers attempted to rescue Urban, Pearl said Ellis shot several times through the door and window nearly hitting several officers outside.

Several businesses were closed for the duration of the standoff or placed on lockdown in the area.  A section of I-29 was also closed to traffic due to the proximity to the hotel and in the line of fire.

A preliminary hearing has been scheduled in the case for Nov. 12.  Ellis is being held without bond.