Standoff ends in Park Rapids; two arrested on numerous charges; one shot

An overnight standoff in downtown Park Rapids ended with the arrests of two men and the shooting of a third.

Park Rapids Police Chief Terry Eilers said the incident began at 8 p.m. with complaints of shots being fired downtown on Main Avenue. Police immediately began looking for two male suspects.

A short time later, a second complaint was called in about shots being fired near a medical clinic downtown. "We were looking for the same guys," Eilers said.

About 1 a.m. police were called to 309 Lake Avenue, when complaints about more shots being fired and a fight under way were called in to authorities.

"Officers entered," Eilers said. "A guy was shot in the leg. They were able to get him out of there. The two individuals we were looking for were there."

A lengthy standoff followed, in which more shots were fired from the home, Eilers said.

"We set up a perimeter and waited," the chief said.

They were waving guns and knives and making threats to the officers.

"We called in the SWAT team," he said. "At 5 a.m. we decided enough was enough and we gassed the house."

The two men were taken into custody and will be arraigned this morning.

Eilers said he will release more information as soon as it becomes available.

The guns and knives were confiscated when the men were arrested.

The standoff occurred in a residential neighborhood. Frightened neighbors said they heard tear gas canisters being lobbed through the home's picture window.

The wounded man was taken to St. Joseph's Area Health Services in Park Rapids, then transferred to an unknown hospital.