DULUTH — The suspect in a domestic violence-related gunfire incident Sunday night had left an East Hillside residence before law enforcement arrived and conducted a six-hour standoff, authorities said Monday.
The man, 36, was contacted by phone and surrendered to police without incident in the 1200 block of West Michigan Street at approximately 12:15 a.m., according to the Duluth Police Department.
Tactical response and crisis negotiation teams from several agencies, including the Superior Police Department's BearCat tactical vehicle, staged on the 700 block of East First Street after shots were reportedly fired inside the home just before 6 p.m. Officers used loudspeakers in an attempt to coax the man from the residence, and a message purported to be from his mother was played at least twice.
But police said they now believe the suspect left before officers arrived. A statement said the establishment of a perimeter and the evacuation of neighboring residences was were a "precautionary measure."
After his arrest, the 36-year-old was taken to the Public Safety Building, where he allegedly acknowledged firing a handgun during a dispute with his significant other. Police said the precise motive remained unknown Monday.
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The man is being held at the St. Louis County Jail on preliminary charges of second-degree assault, domestic assault and discharge of a firearm endangering others. The News Tribune generally does not identify suspects until they are formally charged.
