Federal, State, and local authorities executed the warrant, reportedly looking for evidence of drug trafficking. "Officers executing the search warrant confronted a male subject inside the residence," according to a statement from State Police official Major Glenn Hall. He continued, "Officers discharged multiple rounds at the subject, resulting in his death. None of the officers involved were injured." According to the initial DEA complaint written by Agent Robert Estes, Stephens was suspected of having a gun in his home. Due to this information, police no doubt conducted this raid with the pretext of encountering an armed suspect.

Although police initially refused to say if Stephens was armed or had fired at officers, officials stated the following day that he had pointed a muzzle loading rifle at the band of armed gang members, but did not fire at them when they invaded his home. In response, DEA Special Agent Tim Hoffmann and Trooper Matthew Cannon fired 13 shots at the man, at least one of which missed the suspect and hit a neighbor's home, nearly striking a resident.