Algonac Barricaded Gunman Arraigned

PORT HURON (WWJ) - The 55-year-old Algonac man who barricaded himself inside his home following a domestic dispute, which prompted a six-hour standoff with police, was arraigned Friday in Port Huron.

Richard Stokes is charged with two counts of assault with intent to commit murder, one count of discharge of firearm at an emergency or law enforcement vehicle, one count of felonious assault, four counts of felony firearms and one count of domestic violence.

The charges stem over an incident which started Thursday as an argument between Stokes, his wife and adult son. It escalated when Stokes first assaulted his wife, then took a shotgun and pointed it at his son's head. The two victims exited the home and called 911.

Officers from the Algonac and Clay Township Police Departments responded and asked for assistance from the St. Clair County Sheriff Special Response Team (SRT). The Port Huron Police SRT was then called and responded with the armored personnel carrier (APC) shared by several departments. The Sheriff's Office Hostage Negotiating Team also was on location, trying to get Stokes to surrender peacefully.

Instead, Stokes fired several shots at officers in the APC and other officers on the perimeter of the residence. Several rounds of pepper spray were fired into the residence and a combative Stokes came out a short time later. A Taser had to be used to subdue Stokes, who was taken into custody.

Bond was set at $500,000 by District Court Magistrate Tim Cook. Stokes' next court date is scheduled for August 23 in Marine City District Court.