YPSILANTI, Mich. – A heavy law enforcement presence remained on Ypsilanti’s west side for multiple days after authorities say a man armed with a sword barricaded himself inside a home near Eastern Michigan University.
The standoff unfolded in the 1100 block of West Cross Street, just blocks from EMU’s campus. In the aftermath, the home showed visible damage, including destroyed sections of the structure and blown-out windows, with a red notice posted on the door indicating the property was unsafe.
Neighbors described an intense and extended response that stretched on for hours.
Greg Woodring, who lives nearby, said the operation included the use of an LRAD (long-range acoustic device), tear gas grenades and repeated flash bangs.
“It went on for hours and hours. They deployed an LRAD. They deployed tear gas grenades. They deployed flash bangs over, and over, and over again,” Woodring said. “The air was thick with smoke to the point it was burning our eyes from houses and houses away.”
Residents said the sounds and smoke lingered well beyond the immediate area.
On Wednesday, community members attended a Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners meeting seeking answers about the response from law enforcement and a metro SWAT team.
Some in the crowd held signs reading: “THIS WAS A MENTAL HEALTH CRISIS… NOT A BATTLE.”
One neighbor who spoke during public comment said residents want transparency about why specific tactics were used.
“Our neighborhood is sad, is angry, and is exceptionally disheartened by the actions of these law enforcement agencies,” she said. “And what we ask for now is transparency into why these actions were taken.”
The Washtenaw County Sheriff’s Office said that after more than 30 hours of crisis negotiations, the 53-year-old man inside the home was safely taken into custody.
Even with the outcome, neighbors said they still have unanswered questions about the man’s background and what prompted the response.
Steve Dolunt, a law enforcement analyst and retired assistant chief of the Detroit Police Department, said details matter when assessing a barricade incident.
“Did he have a mental crisis? Did he have a history of mental illness? Was he a violent felon?” Dolunt said. “These are the questions that I don’t think have come out yet. But those are the answers you need before you just rush in.”
Dolunt added that, based on the sheriff’s timeline, waiting more than a day before taking the man into custody does not appear unusual.
“Is it unreasonable to wait 30 hours? I think so,” he said. “So, people can complain about their use of force. But they prolonged it as long as they could. I think.”
The operation also disrupted nearby organizations, including Meals on Wheels Ypsilanti, which operates out of First Baptist Church across the street from the home.
Staff and volunteers were unable to access the church parking lot on Monday, forcing the nonprofit to halt deliveries for the day. About 350 homebound seniors did not receive meals.
Barbara Niess-May with Meals on Wheels Ypsilanti said the disruption was difficult for clients who depend on daily deliveries.
“Our folks are already vulnerable,” she said. “And they’re hearing about something like this. And then we have to say that we are closed and not able to get to them that day. And that’s really hard for us to do because we know how much our homebound neighbors rely on us.”
As the investigation continues, First Baptist Church Pastor Tim Evans said the church plans to host additional community conversations and meetings.
“We’ve been contacted by a resident who wants to host a meeting here, so we are going to do that,” Evans said. “And we’ve been contacted by the Sheriff’s department, as well. So, we are going to host a meeting for them as well.”
County leaders and residents continue to press for more information about the tactics used and decision-making during the incident.
In a statement issued Thursday afternoon, the Washtenaw County Sheriff said the office intends to share information while also protecting the integrity of the investigation and any ongoing criminal matter.
“While we remain committed to transparency, obtaining and disseminating accurate information is equally important,” the statement said. “To that end, we are working with our partners to obtain, compile, and disseminate appropriate information, consistent with our obligations to maintain the integrity of the investigation and ongoing criminal matter.”