Isanti standoff ends with arrest; no injuries reported, but BCA investigating use-of-force

Law enforcement arrested a man late Wednesday evening, bringing an end to a six-and-a-half-hour standoff in Isanti, Minnesota.

Authorities had earlier asked people to avoid the area near the 800 block of Cedar Street Southwest as they responded to a shots fired call. Authorities called the situation "life-threatening" to anyone outside. The Isanti County Sheriff's Office provided an update around 10 p.m. that there was no longer a threat to public safety and residents could return to their homes.

According to the Isanti Police Department, authorities first responded to the scene after someone reported a male of undisclosed age throwing things into the street. When they arrived, he retreated into a home, and authorities subsequently heard gunshots.

"Multiple gunshots came from the residence over the duration of the incident and several nearby homes in the area were struck by gunfire," police said. "No one was injured as a result of that gunfire."

SWAT teams from three different counties showed up to assist. Police said the male fired at law enforcement's armored vehicles while they attempted to negotiate with him.

Police said the suspect fired at a SWAT vehicle during negotiations. An Anoka County SWAT officer then fired back. Nobody was shot, including the suspect, law enforcement or neighbors. He was eventually arrested and taken to a hospital, then released and booked into the Isanti County Jail on numerous charges.

The other people inside the home made it out safely, police said. They were also evaluated at a hospital and released.

The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is leading the investigation.

"Everybody's freaking out"

Neighbors spent hours sheltering in their homes Wednesday, including Melissa Shegog, who lives right next to the suspect.

"Yesterday was overwhelming, but today I feel the safest I've been in a long time since he is not here anymore, or not behind us anymore," said Melissa Shegog.

She says the sheriff's office alerted her to the situation, telling her to "get all my animals and my kids in the house and get them down to the shelter."

Her teenage son Lucas was still outside in the backyard. He said he heard a pop sound, then what sounded like pellets hitting his house. 

"I just ran back inside and didn't know what to think really," said Lucas Shegog.

Police say gunfire from the suspect hit at least three houses, a number that could grow as BCA agents and other law enforcement continued gathering evidence.

SWAT teams also knocked down fences to get closer to the suspect's house.

"Everybody's freaking out. I was trying to be like the most calm and like for the family and everything, but it was hard too at the same time hearing the gunshots going off and everything," said Lucas Shegog.

Police say 20 people were evacuated, including the Shegogs, who say a SWAT team came to their rescue.

"They had the shields up around us and they escorted us to the SWAT vehicle," said Melissa Shegog. 

Police said they've been called to his house several times for disturbances, but nothing like what happened Wednesday. Melissa Shegog said her family has had several concerning interactions with the suspect.  

"He has told us on numerous occasions he's watching us," she said.

She worried for the suspect's family, telling WCCO he has a wife and children. Police said several people were in the suspect's house during the standoff and made it out safely. 

"And now there's many people, including his family, that have to live with this," she said.

The Isanti County Attorney said charges should be filed on Monday when the suspect makes his first court appearance. 

Isanti is located about 40 miles north of Minneapolis.