MARION COUNTY — A 35-year-old Sandoval man is being sought following a domestic dispute Wednesday where he reportedly barricaded himself in a home on South Maple before fleeing.

According to the Marion County Sheriff’s Office, Michael ‘Brent’ Smith is being sought for domestic battery and criminal damage to property.

Sheriff’s deputies responded early Wednesday morning when Smith’s girlfriend reported she had been beaten up and windows had been broken out of her van.  She also reported there had been possible gunfire. She managed to flee the home before deputies arrived.

Smith, however, reportedly refused to come out of the house when deputies arrived. He allegedly claimed he had a big knife if they attempted to enter the home.

When the ILEAS tactical response team arrived they were unsuccessful in making contact with Smith.   They later used a key to enter the home and found no one inside.  A knife was located in plain view, but no gun.

Anyone with information on Smith’s whereabouts is asked to contact the sheriff’s department at 548-2141.