Officers Fatally Shoot Man Following Armed Standoff, Find Gasoline Poured Through House

WATERFORD TOWNSHIP (WWJ) - Officials say a man who was fatally shot by police following an armed standoff in Waterford Township was apparently trying to blow up his house.

The situation unfolded just after 3 a.m. Thursday when police received a 911 call from a woman who said she had left her home in the 2000 block of Sunhill Drive, off Walton Boulevard, after being assaulted by her husband.

Officers responded to the home and were able to establish contact with the husband by phone. During those conversations, the 28-year-old man threatened to kill officers, burn down his house and kill himself. While setting up a perimeter around the area, officers heard a gunshot come from within the house.

After hearing the gunshot, police were able to re-establish contact by phone and confirm the man had not harmed himself. The Oakland County Sheriff's Office SWAT team was requested and responded to the area. Neighbors in the area say they were told to stay inside as officers moved in.

As the SWAT team was surrounding the home, the man briefly exited but then retreated back inside when he became aware of the heavy police presence. Sporadic phone contact continued with the man, during which he continued threats to kill police and himself, and burn down the house.

Shortly after the last phone contact, the man exited the house with a loaded shotgun. According to police, he then walked through the side tree line and charged an officer, at which time he was shot.

The man was transported to McLaren Hospital where he was pronounced dead at 6:20 a.m.

Upon entering the house, officers discovered that gasoline had been poured throughout several rooms and the gas burners on the stove had been left open.

No other injuries were reported.

Jessica Ryan, who lives nearby, said the sound of the gunshots rang through the neighborhood.

"I heard like five gunshots and then a short pause and then I heard another three," Ryan told WWJ's Mike Campbell. "So, that was kind of shocking to wake up to and it was very scary, as well."

Waterford Police and the Oakland County Sheriff's Office continue to investigate the incident.

Stay with WWJ Newsradio 950 and CBSDetroit.com for the latest.