DETROIT (WWJ) - Detroit police are still surrounding a home on the city's east side, where a gunman has barricaded himself inside.
The incident began around 9:45 a.m. Tuesday in the area of Schoenherr and Pinewood, between E. State Fair and 7 Mile Road.
Detroit Police Commander Darin Szilagyi tells WWJ a 45-year-old man who suffers from a mental condition is inside the home and armed with multiple firearms. Szilagyi says the suspect had fired multiple shots at neighbors Monday night and into Tuesday.
Detroit police officers from the 9th Precinct tried to make contact with the man Tuesday, but were unsuccessful and declared a barricaded gunman situation and neighboring residents were asked to shelter in place.
A special response unit and hostage negotiation team have had what Szilagyi called "sporadic contact" with him throughout the day. He remained inside the home as of 10 p.m. and officials say they are continuing to attempt to negotiate and they plan to wait the situation out.
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 were on the scene.
"If the gentleman, the suspect, is in the there listening, we ask that he consider surrendering," Szilagyi told WWJ's Ron Dewey and other reporters earlier in the day. "We have a legal system that's in his favor at this time. No one has been hurt, and this can be resolved in the courts. We want a peaceful ending to this incident."
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