FARMINGTON HILLS (WWJ) A barricaded gunman situation in Farmington Hills—involving two children and resulting in gunshots from an AR-style rifle crossing over Middlebelt— ended when a SWAT team member shot the suspect, police said.
The gunfire also damaged five police cars and struck multiple homes.
In a news conference ; Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King said they responded to a report of a domestic assault in progress on Morningview, in the area of 12 Mile and Middlebelt, around 11:30 a.m. Sunday. Upon arrival, they learned the 32-year-old suspect was barricaded in an upstairs bedroom and took custody of one of the children in “a hostage style position,” King said.
The victims of the incident included a 32-year-old woman and her children, 14 and 6, from a previous relationship.
In a statement on Facebook, The Oakland County Sheriff's Office said the woman was able to escape the home. When officers tried to make contact with the suspect, he opened fire.
Officers retreated, took cover and called for backup from numerous agencies, including a SWAT team. During this time, officers learned the two children were upstairs inside the home and had barricaded themselves in a room— which the suspect was trying to break into. The children eventually made it out of the house without physical injuries.
Oakland County sheriff's deputies put up a perimeter.
“We had been trying to communicate and encourage a peaceful surrender for everybody, that nobody needed to get hurt and we were unsuccessful at getting the message through to (the suspect),” Oakland County Sheriff Mike Bouchard said during the news conference. “He opened the front door and opened fire…numerous rounds from his AR- style weapon. I believe it was an AK-47….”
The shots “crossed Middlebelt” and hit at least five police cars, Bouchard said.
***Update***Preliminary*** Farmington Hills police responded to a domestic violence assault in progress at a home in the...
Posted by Oakland County Sheriff's Office on Sunday, September 15, 2024
The suspect turned to fire at a different angle, and a SWAT team member fired a single shot that struck the suspect— “stopping the threat,” according to Bouchard.
The suspect was rendered aid at the scene. His condition is not known. Investigators also did not specify whether or not the woman was injured during the initial assault.
Bouchard called the situation “very dangerous”. He said the bullets flew across Middlebelt, and struck properties on the other side of the road, south of the location, all of which are now crime scenes that need to be secured and processed. The neighbor's home was also hit. The residents had to shelter in place, he said.
“(The officers) were worried about all the other people walking around,” Bouchard said. “It’s a very active area. A nice subdivision..."
He said they also had to look out for the safety of the drivers on the road, to make sure no cars were struck by the gunfire.
West Bloomfield, Livonia, Southfield Police departments, Farmington Department of Public Safety and the Oakland County Sheriff all assisted Farmington Hills Police at the scene.
The Macomb County Special Investigation Unit will investigate the officer-involved shooting.
The scene remains active and the investigation ongoing. People are asked to continue to avoid the area of 12 Mile and Middlebelt until further notice.
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