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GRPD: Nelson Avenue standoff ends peacefully

Posted at 5:46 AM, Mar 08, 2016
and last updated 2016-03-08 05:46:59-05

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. -- An hours-long standoff on the southeast side of Grand Rapids ended peacefully Tuesday morning.

The call came in shortly after 3 a.m. Officers said the woman called dispatchers to report a 63-year-old man waving a gun around inside a home on Nelson Ave SE near Burton St SE. The incident began as a domestic situation, police said, but after arriving, theycalled for additional units and, eventually, Special Response Teams and negotiation personnel.

She got out safely, but officers said another woman was still inside. For hours, negotiators worked to get the alleged suspect to surrender, evacuating nearby homes as a precaution.

Eventually, that second woman came out unharmed. She told police the man had fallen asleep, so officers began blaring sirens to try and wake him up. After getting his attention, officers were able to talk the alleged suspect out of the house and take him into custody.

"We've had some contact with this particular individual in the past," said GRPD Information Officer Terry Dixon, adding that police don't believe this incident is related to any past police incidents.

The standoff lasted about six hours, ending just before 9 a.m.