DETROIT (WWJ) - A Detroit man is in custody after it's alleged he shot and killed his neighbor, leading to a four-hour standoff with police on the city's west side.
According to Detroit Police Chief James White, the suspect was upset after he was sentenced to 60 days in jail as a result of a dispute with his neighbor over an Amazon package that was delivered last year.
Police responded to the scene, outside a home on Robson Street, near Joy and Greenfield, after the suspect shot and killed the neighbor before barricading himself inside his house at around 6:45 a.m.
A Special Response Team surrounded the home where it was learned from family members that the man had an "arsenal of military-grade weapons," White said, which complicated negotiation efforts.
The chief pulled back his officers as a result, and ordered the evacuation of surrounding homes in the area.
"We are asking neighbors to bare with us," White said, early Thursday. "We don’t know how many weapons he has."
At least nine handguns are registered to the suspect, whose name was not released. White said the exact number of long guns owned by the man was not immediately clear due to the nature of how those types of firearms weapons are registered.
White described the weapons as "military-grade" with the ability for projectiles to travel large distances and do a lot of damage.
The chief mentioned prior conversations between police and the suspect found that the man was "frustrated" and may want to hurt himself.
The suspect also told police that he was listening to media reports on the developing situation, which further upset him.
"We want a smooth resolution," White reiterated. "...My understanding is that no one is listening to him. We don’t not want him to get hurt or anyone else to get hurt."
Civilian behavioral health specialists were on hand to help with negotiations, White said, and put out a message for the suspect to hear: "Put the guns down, let's get you the help you need."
The chief told reporters that no one else was inside of the home and vowed police and mental health professionals "will be here as long as it takes."
A neighbor earlier told WWJ's Charlie Langton that she woke up to two gunshots in the 6 a.m. hour.
"I came outside and seen that there was dead body outside," she added.
Langton described the scene as a "neighborhood situation" in a very residential area. Earlier in the morning, many people were out and getting their children to school.
The suspect surrendered around 11:30 a.m. and was arrested without further incident.
White said the suspect was expected to be transferred to a hospital for treatment, before dealing with the more serious issues.
Police have since cleared the area.
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