Barricaded Gunman Situation In Detroit Ends In 3 Arrests
DETROIT (WWJ) - A barricaded gunman situation on Detroit's west side has ended peacefully with three suspects in police custody.
The incident unfolded around 5:30 a.m. Friday at a two-story brick home at the corner of Ferguson and Puritan streets, just east of the Southfield Freeway.
According to police, a nearby resident called 911 to report that someone was breaking into the home of his neighbor, who is out-of-town on vacation. When officers arrived on the scene, they surrounded the home and thought one of the three suspects inside might have a weapon.
Officers declared the scene a barricaded gunman situation, called for backup and requested help from Michigan State Police.
Eventually, the suspects gave themselves up after talking with negotiators and were immediately taken into police custody. No one was injured. The home received minor damage.
Police Commander Elvin Barren said it appears the suspects targeted the home because they knew it was unoccupied.
"At least two of the suspects actually live on the block, knew that their neighbor was out-of-town and took this opportunity to break into the location," Barren told WWJ's Mike Campbell. "No one was hurt, which is a good thing. But this is a good work of the neighbors, watching each other's property, knowing when their neighbor is out-of-town on vacation."
Resident Clayton King wasn't surprised by the crime unfolding just steps away from his home.
"It's a good thing, that people are not afraid anymore to speak up," he said. "I think people really want safe neighborhoods. All-in-all, this is a really nice neighborhood. It's just, unfortunately, there's a few others that make it bad for the rest of us."
Barren said investigators combed the scene, but did not recover any weapons. The incident remains under investigation.
