Hours long Sunday standoff shuts down I-35

An incident that started Sunday as a vehicle pursuit ended hours later following a standoff on Interstate 35.

Shortly before 3 p.m., the Rice County Sheriff’s Office assisted the Southeast Minnesota Violent Crime Enforcement Team with an armed suspect who was involved in a vehicle pursuit that started in southern Minnesota.

The vehicle stopped south of Faribault city limits in the northbound lanes of I-35 after hitting spike strips that deflated the vehicle’s tires. He came to a stop near mile marker 54.

When the suspect exited the vehicle, he allegedly produced a handgun and made his way into the southbound traffic lanes.

The incident necessitated a shut down of the interstate, and area residents were told to shelter in place for several hours as the man paced around the area of I-35 with the handgun.

Officers repeatedly commanded the suspect to drop the gun and presented options for a peaceful resolution. The man did not comply with officers’ commands and reportedly fired multiple rounds from his handgun.

No members of the public or law enforcement were injured.

The South Metro SWAT and Minnesota State Patrol Special Response Team used non-lethal tactics to take the suspect into custody shortly after 7 p.m. when he ran into a nearby farm field.

The Rice County Sheriff’s Office was assisted by South Metro SWAT, the Minnesota State Patrol and its Special Response Team (SRT), the Dakota County Sheriff’s Office Drone Unit and the Faribault and Northfield police departments.

The name of the suspect will be made available after formal charges are made.

This is a developing story. More information will be posted as it becomes available.