Man Arrested After Standoff With Police At Vacant Building In Detroit

DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit police say a man is in custody following a standoff, Wednesday afternoon, on the city's northwest side.

Investigators said the man was threatening suicide following a domestic dispute Tuesday night. He'd allegedly been drinking heavily, and not taking his medication for depression.

Police said the man eventually surrendered after barricading himself inside of a vacant building — near Grand River, east of 7 Mile Road — with a sign that reads: "Soul Food and Gift Items."

WWJ's Charlie Langton reports the suspect is a 46-year-old black male with a military background and a criminal record. He was released from parole in 2007 for various weapons charges.

Detroit Police Chief James Craig, following negotiations, the said the man came out of the building "with what appeared to be a weapon."

However, no shots were fired and no one was injured.

"I certainly want to give a lot of credit to our negotiators, SRT (Special Response Team), who went in, took their time, as we committed to continuing to talk with the suspect, and he came out," said Craig, adding that he was pleased the incident concluded peacefully.

"We don't go into these investigations wanting to use deadly force," Craig said. "It's only when, you know, certainly our officers are faced with an imminent threat to their life, and that could've very easily been the case. This could've been a very different outcome."

Craig said the man was taken to a crisis center for evaluation.

It's unclear what charges he will face in connection with the incident. His name has not been released.