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WHEELING - An arrest warrant has been issued for James E. Sirbaugh - a U.S. Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives agent in Wheeling - as a result of a domestic disturbance at his home Friday.

Sgt. Michael T. Baylous, a West Virginia State Police spokesman in Charleston, released Sirbaugh's name Wednesday. State Police Sgt. Scott Adams confirmed that a warrant has been issued but not served on Sirbaugh, 36, of 18 Stonegate Drive.

The public access computer at the Ohio County Magistrate Clerk's office revealed that on Saturday, a warrant was issued charging Sirbaugh with domestic assault and brandishing a weapon.

"He is receiving medical treatment at this time, and the warrants will be served upon him when he is released,"Adams said.

Adams noted the case is being investigated by State Police Trooper Nick Nolder of the Wheeling detachment. Nolder's criminal complaint notes that Ohio County sheriff's deputies were called to the Sirbaugh home shortly after 5 p.m. Friday regarding a domestic disturbance. The complaint alleges Sirbaugh and wife were involved in a disagreement and that the woman told her husband she wanted to leave the home and go to her mother's home.

The complaint states that Sirbaugh grabbed a knife he had taped to a flagpole in the yard and slashed a tire on his wife's car. It alleges he entered the home and went to a second-floor window, where he began throwing items toward his wife's car before returning to the car and slashing another tire.

As events unfolded, law enforcement officers blocked access to half of the Stonegate development and told residents to stay in their homes or vehicles.

State troopers declined to disclose what was happening at that time. Some neighbors speculated that a man had barricaded himself in his home and refused to exit. The State Police also had a special incident vehicle at the scene, as did the sheriff's department.

As of Tuesday evening, law enforcement officials had refused to publicly comment on what caused 13 cruisers to respond to the neighborhood Friday evening and remain there into Saturday morning. A Triadelphia Volunteer Fire Department truck also arrived in the area at about 9:30 p.m.

Ohio County Sheriff Pat Butler described what occurred there as a "family situation" on Friday. He said Tuesday that the case is under the jurisdiction of the West Virginia State Police.

"I cannot comment on another agency's case," Butler said, even though his deputies were at the scene.

Adams said four or five State Police vehicles were on the scene, along with several other law enforcement vehicles. He said case is not getting special attention because an ATF officer is involved.

"The fact that he is a law enforcement officer has no bearing on how the case is being handled," Adams said.

Ohio County Prosecutor Scott Smith said in a Wednesday news release that his office has been involved in the case since early Saturday.

"We have taken every effort to make sure the public, the residents of Stonegate and the individuals involved in this matter are safe," the release notes. "The Ohio County prosecutor's office continues to monitor the situation and is working with the investigating agency to continue to keep the public safe."

Smith said the fact that Sirbaugh is hospitalized has been a factor in why law enforcement officials have not commented on the case.

"Due to his hospitalization, law enforcement agencies and the Ohio County Prosecutor's Office are limited as to what can be released due to medical privacy concerns with the (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) requirements," Smith said.