Willow Springs, MO. – The Howell County Sheriff’s Office has released more information on the arrest of a man on Sunday where SWAT was deployed. The release can be read below.
On September 27, 2026, deputies with the Howell County Sheriff’s Office and a Missouri State Highway Patrol trooper responded to a residence on Post Oak Drive in Willow Springs to arrest Dayton Terril-Austin on outstanding warrants.
Terril-Austin had an active Howell County warrant for Possession of a Controlled Substance, as well as an active Missouri Department of Corrections Probation and Parole warrant for Parole Absconder.
Upon arrival, a female exited the residence, turned and spoke to someone inside, and then locked the door behind her. Deputies made numerous announcements and gave Terril-Austin instructions to exit the residence, but he refused to do so.
Due to information that Terril-Austin was in possession of, or had access to, a firearm, deputies established a perimeter and requested additional assistance. The Howell County SWAT Team responded and continued efforts to have Terril-Austin exit the residence.
During the incident, SWAT deployed a drone inside the residence, along with a Noise Flash Diversion Device, CS gas, and K9 Flash.
K9 Flash located Terril-Austin inside the residence, where he was found encased in a sleeping bag. After being located, Terril-Austin immediately surrendered to deputies. He was taken into custody and transported to the Howell County Sheriff’s Office without further incident.
Sheriff Matt Roberts said, “I am proud of the way our deputies and SWAT team handled this situation. They showed patience and professionalism throughout the incident and used the resources available to them to bring a potentially dangerous situation to a safe conclusion. I also want to recognize the work of K9 Flash and his handler, Corporal Gordon. Their training and teamwork made a difference in locating this individual and getting him into custody safely.
Additional charges resulting from this incident will be referred to the Howell County Prosecutor’s Office.
Any charge is an allegation. Terril-Austin is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
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