Photos: Shaun Tobelmann ID'd as gunman in police standoff at 12th and Grant
Update: The Denver Police Department has now named the man accused of prompting an hours-long standoff near 12th and Grant beginning early this morning; see our previous coverage below. He's Shaun Michael Tobelmann, age 34. He was arrested on suspicion of third-degree assault and discharge of a weapon -- which he allegedly did plenty of times before being cuffed. Here are additional details.
Pics, video below.
Original post, 9:58 a.m. February 21: Denver police and a disturbed gunman engaged in a long standoff near 12th and Grant today. The incident began in the early morning hours and stretched into the snowy morning commute, with sporadic gunfire and the dispersal of chemical agents taking place prior to the suspect being taken into custody -- a process documented on the DPD's Twitter account. Tweets, photos and video below.
According to 9News, police received what they describe as a "suicidal party" call just past 2 a.m. this morning. But if the individual in question initially intended to harm himself, the situation soon mutated into a dangerous one for others in the vicinity. He was reportedly on an upper floor and firing down toward the street level in the midst of snowfall, further complicating the police response.
Here's the first Denver police tweet, sent out shortly after the standoff started.
BREAKING: Barricaded suspect near 11th and Grant.PIO will meet media on S/E corner 11th and Grant.
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 21, 2013
The following message quickly followed.
UPDATE:DPD is asking that people STAY in their homes.Several shots have been fired since police came on scene.
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 21, 2013
As a result of the flying lead, residents of the gunman's apartment building were evacuated. Meanwhile, the police tried to make sure that no more people were put in harm's way, as indicated by this tweet, underscored by a photo....
UPDATE:Please avoid the area of 12th and Grant twitter.com/DenverPolice/s...
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 21, 2013
...and an even more emphatic, caps-heavy statement.
UPDATE:Shots being fired outside the building. STAY INSIDE and OUT OF THIS AREA.
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 21, 2013
An hour or more into the siege, police gave Twitter followers an indication of the next tactic.
UODATE : STAY INSIDE AND SHUT WINDOWS - DEPLOYING CHEMICAL AGENT
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 21, 2013
No confirmation at this writing about the chemical agent in question, but tear gas is a likely possibility. Still, resolution was still a ways off, as indicated by this tweet and accompanying photo....
UPDATE:SWAT and Negotiators on scene twitter.com/DenverPolice/s...
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 21, 2013
...plus another behind-the-scenes image.
PHOTO:Inside the police command post at 11th and Grant twitter.com/DenverPolice/s...
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 21, 2013
Finally, at around 6 a.m., this message was sent.
UPDATE:Situation resolved, 1 party taken into custody . No injuries.Updates on street openings to follow.
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 21, 2013
Clearing the scene took some time, however. It wasn't until approximately 9 a.m. that officers were able to tweet this:
TRAFFIC: 12th Ave. & Grant St. has re-open. All streets in the area of barricade are now open.
— Denver Police Dept (@DenverPolice) February 21, 2013
The individual in question has not been identified thus far, and there's been no indication about possible charges against him. Learn more in this 9News clip.
More from our Colorado Crimes archive: "Michael Grover's explosive preparations for Doomsday net arrest, $1 million bond."
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