Officers from three police departments surrounded the Comfort Suites in Liberty Township early Saint Patrick’s Day to arrest a suspect accused of pistol whipping a fellow guest at the motel.

Liberty Police went to the motel lobby on Perni Drive after midnight and spoke to a 25-year-old Missouri man whose face was swollen and had blood on his clothing.

The man told officers that a man he described as his “boss”, struck him on the head with a pistol during a fight in their motel room.

When no one answered police at the motel room door, officers from Vienna Township and Girard surrounded the building to make sure the suspect didn’t try to escape.

Liberty Police returned to the room and found 32-year-old William Shelton of Marionville, Missouri.

Shelton denied fighting his roommate at the motel, claiming they did get into a physical argument at a bar earlier.

Police found a handgun in the closet, which they seized as evidence.

Shelton was booked into the county jail on a charge of felonious assault.

Since police found that Shelton has a previous felony conviction and is not permitted to carry a gun,  he was also charged with possessing a weapon under a disability.

During a video arraignment Friday morning, a judge ordered that Shelton have no contact with the alleged victim, who refused medical treatment.

Bond was set at $10,000 and another court hearing is scheduled for next week.