Although a release order was issued, Hellerud was booked into the Clay County Jail. According to a criminal complaint, the incident began July 9 when Hellerud came to the Clay County Courthouse for a hearing in an order for protection case. After the hearing, Hellerud made several alarming statements to court administration staff and security deputies. The following day, July 10, law enforcement obtained a search warrant and executed it when Hellerud returned to the courthouse to pick up paperwork. He became belligerent and admitted there was a firearm in the vehicle but refused to say where it was.