Barricaded gunman surrenders peacefully after police standoff

DETROIT - Tense moments for police on Grand River today.

Police first thought the armed man seemed intent to commit "suicide by cop" forcing officers to shoot him, but it came to a peaceful conclusion.

It took a SWAT team, a flash bang, and lots of Detroit police, but a standoff with a barricaded gunman ended with no shots fired.

"Great news, we have the suspect in custody," said Police Chief James Craig. "No incident. He is being transferred to the Crisis Center for evaluation."

But for two hours Wednesday afternoon on Grand River, east of Seven Mile, the news was not so great.

"We always err on the side of time," Craig said. "We take our time and talk, continue to talk."

That talk may have saved the life of the gunman, in what cops originally thought was a possible "suicide by cop." 

Here's what we know about the suspect.  He's a black man 46 years old, with the Navy background. He takes medication for depression.

"He was extremely intoxicated last night," Craig said. "And he did not believe that he had taken his medication."

The gunman was inside the building renovating it to make it into a recording studio.

The man also has a criminal record, having been released from parole in 2007 for various weapons charges.  But he did surrender, peacefully.

"As he was exiting the building, the negotiator was still on the phone," Craig said. "It was just textbook."

The man was taken to Detroit receiving hospital for observation.