Fugitive dad used kids as shields in standoff, authorities say

WAYNESBORO, Ga. (WRDW/WAGT) - An emotionally moved Burke County Sheriff Alfonzo Williams recounted Thursday morning how deputies rescued two young kids from a wanted man who didn’t intend to be taken alive.

During a five-hour overnight standoff, fugitive Kevin McCardell – who was eventually shot by deputies – used his two young children as human shields, according to authorities.

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That’s the part that choked up Williams at a news conference where he said deputies’ first priority was getting the 1-year-old and 2-year-old to safety.

Deputies had gone to the home in the 100 block of Southside Drive after the children’s beaten mother fled and ed authorities, Williams said.

Despite being held by the father as he fired a gun at deputies, the kids weren’t hurt, Williams said.

“It was the closest I’ve been to a situation where children were in harm’s way,” Williams said emotionally.

“This could have been a lot worse,” Williams said in describing a situation that shook up him and his deputies.

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“This is a mean man, a very sick man who used his kids as a human shield, and I know that for a couple of those who went into the house, I was able to see their reactions on their faces,” Williams said.

Because the kids are so young, they probably won’t the ordeal, Williams said – “but we will.”

He said his staff handled the situation with “nothing short of professionalism and decorum,” and he credited that to experience and training.

“When you’re scared as hell, you’ve got to rely on training,” he said.

He described McCardell, 33, wanted on multiple felony warrants out of Maryland, as a “very mean-spirited person” with a very extensive violent record.

Williams said McCardell earlier had beaten his wife – including striking her in the face with a soiled diaper until it broke up into pieces.

She fled and hid in the woods for a time before eventually ing authorities.

Once they learned what had happened at the home just 500 feet from the sheriff’s headquarters, deputies went there at 10:30 p.m. to check on the kids.

They were met at the door by McCardell, according to deputies.

While holding both children, he pointed a pistol at deputies and fired a shot, according to authorities.

“He fired a shot at us, we fired a shot at him and he retreated into the house and boarded up the doors,” Capt. Jimmy Wylds said.

After hours of negotiations, McCardell became irate again, and from what he said, deputies knew he didn’t intend to be taken into custody alive.

While using his children as shields, he brandished his gun again at deputies, according to authorities.

At that point, a special operations team member said, deputies knew there was no retreat, and a member of the team shot him. Two deputies fired their weapons during the course of the incident, Williams said.

“It’s not a situation we caused,” he said. “It’s something we put an end to.”

McCardell was taken to a hospital for treatment of his injuries, and he underwent surgery there. That’s where he remained Thursday.

Once he’s booked into jail, Williams doesn’t want the man – currently on parole out of Maryland – to be released.

“We will oppose bail,” Williams said.

“It’s my job to protect this community from animals like that,” the sheriff said.

In addition to arrest warrants out of Maryland, McCardell will face at least several aggravated assault charges and likely a false imprisonment charge in Burke County, according to Williams.

As for the woman and the two kids, deputies found food and supplies for them, and they spent the night on a couch at the sheriff’s headquarters, Williams said. They were with relatives on Thursday.

The two deputies who fired their guns are “in an istrative posture” while their use of force is investigated.

Williams said the investigation shouldn’t take long, and he expected them back on active duty by the afternoon.

As is usually the case, the use of force is not being investigated by the agency involved. In this case, a special use-of-force team put together by the Columbia County Sheriff’s Office will be investigating.

“The case is in very capable hands,” Williams said.

Burke County Sheriff’s Office confirms on Nov. 21, that McCardell had his left leg amputated.

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