ROMULUS, Mich. – A 32-year-old Ypsilanti man was taken into custody after barricading himself inside a Romulus home with a woman during a domestic violence incident and threatening to shoot responding officers.
Officers were dispatched around 4 p.m. to the 6600 block of Amarillo Drive on Tuesday (July 14) for a reported domestic violence call.
According to the Romulus Police Department, the suspect confronted officers upon arrival and threatened to “shoot and kill” any officer who attempted to enter the residence.
Police said the man then barricaded himself inside the home with a 37-year-old woman.
During initial attempts to communicate with those inside, officers said they heard the woman crying and that she indicated she was not OK and was being held against her will.
Investigators also learned the residence had a documented history of domestic violence calls.
Police said the suspect has an extensive criminal history.
Special operations team called to scene
The Western Wayne Special Operations Team was called to the scene to assist.
During the standoff, police said the suspect made additional threats, telling officers he would shoot them if they “walked by a window.”
Nearby homes were evacuated as a precaution.
At about 6:45 p.m., the suspect released the woman, who ran from the residence and was immediately taken into protective custody by officers.
The suspect later surrendered and was taken into custody without further incident.
Neighbor describes chaotic scene
A neighbor who witnessed the standoff said the situation unfolded quickly Tuesday afternoon.
Jazzmin Coutu said she had stopped by to visit her father when she saw several Romulus police officers outside a nearby residence with their guns drawn.
“I instantly went inside,” Coutu said. “I just wanted to make sure me and my kid were safe.”
Coutu said she later saw additional law enforcement resources, including a Western Wayne Special Operations Team vehicle, arrive at the scene as officers established a perimeter around the home.
She said she initially did not know what prompted the large police response.
“I assumed it was a drug bust,” Coutu said. “But as we can tell, it was an aggravated man with a gun at home.”
Coutu said she was relieved when the woman was safely escorted from the residence before the suspect surrendered.
“Thankfully, everybody was safe,” Coutu said. “Police and SWAT were all over here and on top of things.”
No officers or bystanders were injured.
Coutu said she was grateful for the response by first responders.
“The community is safe, and Romulus police were very, very on top of things over here today,” Coutu said.
Police have not announced any charges.
The investigation remains ongoing.
Watch the witness interview below