DETROIT (WWJ) - A barricaded gunman situation on Detroit's east side has now been going on for nearly 24 hours.
The incident started around 2 a.m. Tuesday in the 19000 block of Pelkey, off 7 Mile Road just west of Schoenherr, when the suspect apparently got into a dispute with his new neighbors. During the argument, the suspect armed himself and started shooting at his neighbors, according to police.
Officers responded to the home, but were unable to locate or make contact with the man and eventually left the scene.
Hours later, around 9:30 a.m., the suspect fired off more shots and then retreated inside his home. When officers responded to the scene this time, they surrounded the home and declared a barricaded gunman situation.
Detroit Police Commander Darin Szilagyi tells WWJ the suspect is a 45-year-old man who suffers from a mental condition an has past drug and other misdemeanor convictions. He's believed to have multiple firearms and body armor.
"We do know, while talking to family and neighbors, he does fancy himself to be a bounty hunter type. He does have some tactical equipment, so it's much of a concern for us. That's why we don't take more aggressive action. We want this to resolve with him walking out the door," he said.
A special response unit and hostage negotiation team has had what Szilagyi called "sporadic contact" with the suspect, but he still remains inside the home as of Wednesday morning. Officers have tried using tear gas to drive the man out of the house, to no avail.
Neighbors are told to shelter in place; if residents need to leave their homes, they are asked to contact police.
Szilagyi, speaking live on WWJ Tuesday night, said authorities feel they have the situation contained and there is no danger to the community.
"But this suspect has exhibited extreme violence by shooting at neighbors for no real apparent reason," Szilagyi said. "We've had family and neighbors on scene telling us this man has a long history of mental illness and a history of violence."
Partners from the Michigan State Police and Homeland Security are also on the scene.
No injuries have been reported.