Kent, Minnesota Jan 12 2009 (WDAY TV) – It was a difficult afternoon for Minnesota National Guard members, Sheriff’s Deputies and a family near Kent. A young man, apparently angry at his family and himself took matters into his own hands.
In a six hour standoff, the National Guard, complete with armored vehicles, had to be brought in to force the teenager out of hiding.
After six tense hours, the SWAT team and National Guard forced armed 19-year-old John Stuehrenberg to surrender from hiding. The Wilkin County Sheriff says Stuehrenberg got in an argument with his parents, saying he didn’t care if he died and would fight anyone who tried to stop him, including police. He then stormed out of their farm house with a rifle, 500 hundred of rounds of ammunition, knives and a sleeping bag to hide out in a nearby shelter belt.
Tom Matejka/Wilkin County Sheriff: “He had a pan with him and he was burrowing into the snow, making a snow fort there.”
Police posted up about a half mile away, where Stuehrenberg says he watched police through the scope of his rifle. Authorities say he pointed his rifle at law enforcement several times as they drove by on snow mobiles. Stuehrenberg ignored officers’ attempts to get him to come out and surrender.
“Don’t know how long he planned on staying there but he didn’t want to come out until we came and got him out there.”
Around 5:00, the Minnesota National Guard captured the gunman with their Armored Personal Carrier.
“I think he realized he couldn’t do anything there and so he gave up peaceably. He had his arms in the air and came out with his hands up.”
Stuehrenberg was taken to the St. Frances Medical Center in Breckenridge for a psychiatric evaluation. No one, including stuehrenberg and his family, were hurt during the standoff.
In a six hour standoff, the National Guard, complete with armored vehicles, had to be brought in to force the teenager out of hiding.
After six tense hours, the SWAT team and National Guard forced armed 19-year-old John Stuehrenberg to surrender from hiding. The Wilkin County Sheriff says Stuehrenberg got in an argument with his parents, saying he didn’t care if he died and would fight anyone who tried to stop him, including police. He then stormed out of their farm house with a rifle, 500 hundred of rounds of ammunition, knives and a sleeping bag to hide out in a nearby shelter belt.
Tom Matejka/Wilkin County Sheriff: “He had a pan with him and he was burrowing into the snow, making a snow fort there.”
Police posted up about a half mile away, where Stuehrenberg says he watched police through the scope of his rifle. Authorities say he pointed his rifle at law enforcement several times as they drove by on snow mobiles. Stuehrenberg ignored officers’ attempts to get him to come out and surrender.
“Don’t know how long he planned on staying there but he didn’t want to come out until we came and got him out there.”
Around 5:00, the Minnesota National Guard captured the gunman with their Armored Personal Carrier.
“I think he realized he couldn’t do anything there and so he gave up peaceably. He had his arms in the air and came out with his hands up.”
Stuehrenberg was taken to the St. Frances Medical Center in Breckenridge for a psychiatric evaluation. No one, including stuehrenberg and his family, were hurt during the standoff.
JOIN THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF PRIVATE OFFICERS www.privateofficer.com/
Get news alerts, officer down, weather emergency news in your mailbox! Sign up;adminassist@privateofficer.com
Join us at www.myspace.com/privateofficernews
Come be part of our social network! www.privateofficer.com
Get news alerts, officer down, weather emergency news in your mailbox! Sign up;adminassist@privateofficer.com
Join us at www.myspace.com/privateofficernews
Come be part of our social network! www.privateofficer.com
