Suicidal Man Stops Traffic On The I-94 on Detroit’s East Side
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Dispatch Audio
I-94 Shut Down For 4 Hours
Detroit – East Side – 0830AM: A suicidal man stopped traffic on the EB and WB lanes of the I-94 early this morning. Detroit Police units from the 3rd & 9th Precincts responded to reports of an armed man in the area of Harper & Park.
The incident required the closing of the I-94 between Outer Dr & French by the Michigan State Police.
#BREAKING: MSP & DPD dealing with a subject on I-94, has weapon. In median. Subject has gun to head. MSP closing I94. pic.twitter.com/GP351wLR8u
— Motor City 911 (@DetroitScanner) April 8, 2017
Upon arrival, Detroit police officer’s encountered the man in the middle of Harper Street holding a gun to his head, threatening suicide.
At one point the subject, described as a 32 year old man with marital problems, made his way to a fence that separated Harper Street from the WB lanes of the I-94.
Detroit police requested the closing of I-94 at 08:51AM, fearing the armed subject would jump a chain link fence and make his way into freeway traffic.
Family members of the man stated he had an argument with his spouse, causing him to become despondent.
Detroit Police activated an SRT call-up in response to the mans actions, leading to a lengthly negotiation process which lasted about 3 hours.
During negotiation attempts, the man stated that he’d drop the gun if he was able to see his children.
Detroit Police contacted the family and his mother and children were conveyed to the command post located at Park & Evanston.
During negotiations, the man made statements to the effect that he was going to commit suicide by cop and that the only way he was going to the hospital was in a body bag.
Detroit Police SRT continued negotiations and lost contact with him for about 45 minutes, making a tense situation even tenser.
The man eventually continued dialog with negotiators and during one of those conversations, a flashbang grenade was deployed causing the man to lose control of his weapon and SRT members took him into custody.
The I-94 was then reopened by the Michigan State Police at about 12:44PM.
Once the subject was in custody, Detroit Police took his children to the unit he was being detained in and allowed him to see his children.
The man was taken to Detroit Regional Hospital for a medical evaluation.