Misunderstanding Leads to Standoff
By: Midland Police
Updated: July 8, 2010
On Thursday, July 8, 2010, at 5:20 p.m. Midland Police were called to 201 W. Wall Street where a white male entered an elevator carrying an assault rifle. A man exiting the elevator became alarmed and notified police.
The Midland Police SWAT Team and Hostage Crisis Negotiators were dispatched to the building. Midland Police blocked off streets within a two-block radius of 201 W. Wall Street and also alerted citizens in the area to stay inside or evacuate to a safe area.
Precautions were taken to ensure the safety of all citizens and officers responding to the scene.
The white male with the rifle was located in a fourth floor office talking with another white male. A Hostage Crisis Negotiator was able to communicate with the man in possession of the rifle via cell phone. Both men came out of the office with their hands up and when given surrender instruction both men complied.
Both men were taken to the Midland Police Department where they were interviewed. The interview revealed the man who had the weapon was simply taking the rifle unloaded to show the other man.
An investigation followed and yielded no violation of the law had occurred. It was determined that no charges would be filed on either of the men. This was a case of bad judgment with no viable threat to harm anyone.
Three AR-15’s, a shotgun, and a handgun were taken by police for safekeeping and will be released to the owner at a later date.
The investigation is complete and not further action will be taken.
The Midland Police SWAT Team and Hostage Crisis Negotiators were dispatched to the building. Midland Police blocked off streets within a two-block radius of 201 W. Wall Street and also alerted citizens in the area to stay inside or evacuate to a safe area.
Precautions were taken to ensure the safety of all citizens and officers responding to the scene.
The white male with the rifle was located in a fourth floor office talking with another white male. A Hostage Crisis Negotiator was able to communicate with the man in possession of the rifle via cell phone. Both men came out of the office with their hands up and when given surrender instruction both men complied.
Both men were taken to the Midland Police Department where they were interviewed. The interview revealed the man who had the weapon was simply taking the rifle unloaded to show the other man.
An investigation followed and yielded no violation of the law had occurred. It was determined that no charges would be filed on either of the men. This was a case of bad judgment with no viable threat to harm anyone.
Three AR-15’s, a shotgun, and a handgun were taken by police for safekeeping and will be released to the owner at a later date.
The investigation is complete and not further action will be taken.
