Standoff on Detroit's west side with barricaded gunman ends

Police continue search for gunman

DETROIT – A barricaded gunman situation that caused a traffic mess Saturday afternoon has ended on Detroit's west side.

Police said when they went into the home they found an assault rifle, but no sign of the gunman.

It all happened on Mettetal Street, and caused West Warren Avenue and Greenfield Road to be shut down for hours. The home was significantly damaged following the six-hour standoff.

It all started when the gunman allegedly threatened a Comcast worker who showed up at the home.

Huddled together holding small children, people wrapped themselves in blankets as they were evacuated from their homes.

Detroit police shut down Warren Avenue at Mettetal Street as they negotiated with a man armed with an assault rifle. People in the area said the man fired his weapon into the air.

Police were unable to find the man, but hours later were called back to the neighborhood when a Comcast worker was threatened at gunpoint.

For six hours the special response team and negotiators tried to coax the man out of the home. Officers saw the side door on the house was open and knew there was a chance the man wasn't inside.

After firing tear gas into the home, police found the assault rifle, but the shooter was gone.

Police continue to look for the gunman, who may be mentally unstable. He has a criminal history, including armed robbery and narcotics.


About the Author:

Priya joined WDIV-Local 4 in 2013 as a reporter and fill-in anchor. Education: B.A. in Communications/Post Grad in Advanced Journalism