We now have more information about an extended standoff in Barron County over the weekend.
Sue Danielson reports.
It was on Sunday, May 2nd at 4:02 p.m., when the Chetek Police Department responded to a 911 call at 1203 W Banks Street for a subject that was acting strange and paranoid. As the Chetek Police Officer arrived on scene a male subject, identified as 35 year old Kevin Swartz, of this address, told law enforcement that he had a gun, would shoot them and that he also had an explosive device in the house.
Negotiations continued for about 30 minutes and the suspect came out with some sort of black device that he claimed was an explosive. The subject stated that if they got any closer, he would set off the explosive device. The Barron/Rusk County Emergency Response team was called to the scene along with the Chetek Fire Department, Wisconsin State Patrol and Wisconsin DNR. A perimeter was set up and nearby residences were evacuated.
Negotiations continued with the subject inside for several hours with the use of gas and other distraction devices to attempt to have the subject exit the residence. The subject refused to exit. The Barron/Rusk Team breached the residence and made contact with the suspect as he crawled into the ceiling. Negotiations continued with the team inside the residence until the subject fell through the ceiling and was taken into custody just before 10:00 p.m.
A search warrant was conducted by the Chetek Police Department on the residence and no explosive devices or weapon were located. The device displayed earlier was a painted cylinder that did not contain anything.
Mr. Swartz will be charged last this week by the Barron County District Attorney’s Office.
