79-Year-Old Man Taken into Custody After Five-Hour Armed Standoff at Rochester Condo Complex

Rochester, MN (KROC-AM News)- The Rochester Police Department is reporting a peaceful ending to a multi-hour standoff involving an armed man experiencing a mental health crisis.

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Communications Coordinator Amanda Grayson says officers responded to the report of a 79-year-old man in crisis threatening to harm his neighbors with a firearm around 6 p.m. Wednesday. 

The situation reached a peaceful resolution around 11 p.m., police say.  

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Rochester Police Report Peaceful Ending at Valhalla Condos Involving Armed, 79-Year-Old Man Experiencing a Mental Health Crisis

The incident occurred in the 500 block of 19th St. in northwest Rochester at one of the units that make up the Valhalla Condominium complex. 

Responding officers began evacuating nearby residents for their safety. 

Crisis negotiators began speaking with the man by phone and a SWAT Team arrived to ensure the safety of law enforcement, the man in crisis and community members, Grayson said. 

Armed Man in Crisis Taken into Custody Inside of His Residence

Authorities then took the man into custody inside of his residence without further incident. Grayson said a loaded firearm was found inside of the man’s home. 

The man was transported to the Emergency Department at Mayo Clinic for an evaluation, according to police. 

No injuries to the man in crisis, law enforcement and community members were reported, Grayson said. The man’s name has not been released.