Lenawee County man with gun surrenders to police

2/4/2008

TECUMSEH, Mich. - A man who attempted to fire a handgun that he pointed at police as he held them at bay in a standoff at his home early yesterday morning was taken into custody after about an hour, Raisin Township police said.

Authorities were called to a home on Rogers Highway, north of Sutton Road, in northeastern Lenawee County, shortly before 3 a.m. by a woman who said her husband was suicidal, had been drinking, and had a gun, according to a news release from police.

When they arrived, officers tried to persuade the wife to leave the house, but she refused to leave six sleeping children inside, the release said. About that time the husband walked into the house from the attached garage, realized that police were on the property, and walked outside, yelling at officers to leave, the release said.

He then pointed a handgun at officers and attempted to fire the weapon, but after an apparent misfire he ducked back into the house where he closed doors, blinds, and curtains, the release said.

Several minutes later, the wife appeared at the front door saying her husband had returned to the garage. Officers assisted her in getting the children out of the house and started dialogue with the husband, the release said. He surrendered about 4 a.m.

Officers at the scene, who included representatives of the Lenawee County Sheriff's Office and Tecumseh and Raisin Township police, searched the home and found a large cache of weapons and ammunition, the release said.

No names were released yesterday in the case, which remained under investigation.