Names released in hostage situation
CLINTON (MCT) — Clinton police identified the man who took his wife hostage Monday night at the Iowa Workforce Development office before taking his own life, as Shamus B. Pridemore, 39, of Fulton, Ill.
Pridemore was a 1989 graduate of Clinton High School and a veteran of Operation Desert Storm. He served in the United States Army from 1989 until being honorably discharged in 1993. He was a former truck driver and worked in construction.
Pridemore had a history of threatening his wife, Erin Pridemore, 33, who filed for an order of protection on Feb. 19 in Whiteside County, Ill. The couple had married in September 2007. The order of protection was issued for Erin and the couple’s 8-year-old son.
After the order of protection was issued, deputies from the Whiteside County Sheriff’s department searched Pridemore’s home in Fulton on Feb. 19 for five firearms believed to be kept there, including a 7-mm rifle with a scope, a .22-caliber rifle, a shotgun and a handgun. Whiteside County State’s Attorney Gary Spencer said this search was prompted by information by concerns voiced by Erin Pridemore. Spencer said Shamus Pridemore was charged with obstructing justice for allegedly lying to the authorities during the search. While the firearms had allegedly been moved to another home, Pridemore was also charged with possession of fire ammunition without a firearm owner’s identification, or FOID, card.
Pridemore was released from Whiteside County Jail after posting 10 percent of a $30,000 bond. Spencer said Pridemore was also given the stipulation by the judge that he could not have any contact with his wife. A pre-trail conference had been scheduled for April 29.
