Stellantis Plant Lockdown! Armed Man Arrested After Standoff
A tense situation unfolded at the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant on Saturday afternoon as an employee barricaded himself inside, prompting a large police response and evacuation. The incident, which began around 4 p.m. on July 12, involved a man armed with a handgun, according to Sterling Heights police.
Swift Response and Evacuation
Upon receiving the 911 call reporting a man with a handgun possibly hallucinating, officers quickly arrived at the plant located on Van Dyke Avenue. The building was immediately evacuated, sending employees home and allowing police to establish a perimeter on the second floor. A Stellantis spokesperson confirmed that only a skeleton crew of skilled trades workers were present at the time, as production was limited on the weekend.
Negotiation and Peaceful Surrender
Acting Deputy Chief David Allen of the Sterling Heights Police Department stated that the motivation behind the man's actions was initially unclear. A crisis negotiation team, working alongside the special response team, engaged in a nearly four-hour standoff with the individual. Ultimately, they successfully convinced him to surrender peacefully.
Suspect in Custody, Investigation Ongoing
The suspect, a Stellantis employee, was taken into custody and a weapon was recovered. Police have not yet released his identity, citing an ongoing investigation. Authorities are currently investigating the circumstances that led to the incident, including whether the man was under the influence of any substances or experiencing a mental health crisis. Stellantis is offering counseling to employees affected by the incident as production is set to resume.
No Injuries Reported
Thankfully, no shots were fired during the standoff, and no one was injured. Police Captain Mario Bastianelli confirmed the safe outcome, stating, "The plant was shut down for a few hours but everyone was safe which is the best outcome we could have in this situation."
- Plant Evacuated
- Employee in Custody
- No Injuries Reported