Barricaded gunman prompts evacuations in Detroit neighborhood
DETROIT (WJBK) - A man who barricaded himself inside his home, turned the gas on and threatened to blow it up has been taken into custody.
Detroit police evacuated some homes in the neighborhood during the negotiations as a precaution Friday morning. The man was barricaded inside his house in the 6400 block of Archdale Street, which is near Warren Avenue and Southfield Road.
After nearly an hour of negotiating, the situation ended peacefully and the man was taken into custody.
Police say the suspect went downstairs and woke up a female acquaintance, put a gun to her head and punched her. She was able to run to a neighbor's house for help.
The man followed her outside, but when he saw police he went back inside his house and grabbed a machete.
Detroit Police Commander Elvin Barren says the suspect told authorities he turned the gas on in the kitchen and the basement, and threatened to blow his house up. Police evacuated nearby houses as a precaution.
Barren says the gas was not able to be turned off from a remote location, so SWAT team members received instruction from DTE how to stop the gas at the house.
The man surrendered just after 9:30 a.m., on the condition that he be allowed to speak to the media. He has not yet spoken with the media but Barren says officers will keep their promise.
Authorities have since gone into the man's home and opened the windows to air out the gas. The families evacuated will be let back into their homes shortly.
Barren says the female victim is okay and is with police. The suspect's family was with police and helped during the negotiations.