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Bloomington man charged after hours-long standoff
Court documents say Andrew James Maxwell allegedly fired after officers shot “less-lethal” ammunition.
BLOOMINGTON, Minn. — A 36-year-old man is charged after allegedly firing a shotgun at officers during a standoff in Bloomington.
Andrew James Maxwell is charged with first-degree assault — use of deadly force against a peace officer after prosecutors say he fired in the direction of officers while police were responding to a call on Thursday, July 4. Court documents say Maxwell allegedly fired after officers shot “less-lethal” ammunition. According to the criminal complaint, the officers fired the less-lethal ammunition after hearing Maxwell rack his shotgun in the garage prior to him opening the garage door.
Officials say Bloomington Police and Richfield Police both responded to the home near the 8700 block of 12th Avenue South on a call related to a suicidal man. Officials say a counselor was on the phone with Maxwell when officers arrived. At one point, dispatch was informed that Maxwell was in the garage pointing a shotgun at the garage door.
Officers say they heard Maxwell rack his gun, and a few minutes later, the garage door opened. Maxwell admitted to shooting at officers, saying he responded after the officers fired first.
An hours-long standoff eventually ended early Friday morning when police were able to detain Maxwell as he attempted to flee the scene on foot. Police say drones captured Maxwell trying to run away from the scene after he refused to give himself up peacefully, according to the criminal complaint. During the standoff, prosecutors say Maxwell fired “multiple” shots in the direction of a drone being used by law enforcement.
Maxwell’s first court appearance is scheduled for Tuesday, July 9.
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Police said the 7-year-old victim was skateboarding on Saturday night.
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The road closure is expected to last until about 11:30 p.m. tonight, according to MnDOT.
MINNETONKA, Minn. — Officials have closed the westbound lanes of US Highway 12 starting at I-494 in Minnetonka after a collision occurred on Saturday night.
According to the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s 511 Map, the road is closed and there was a “serious crash,” on the highway.
The road closure is expected to last until about 11:30 p.m. tonight, according to MnDOT.
This is a developing story and will be updated as more information becomes available.
“It’s amazing how well and good the people are helping out,” volunteer Connie Guinn said.
ELK PARK, N.C. — It’s still difficult for Mike Ellenburg to see the damage Helene left in Elk Park, North Carolina.
“Never in my lifetime, no I have not,” Ellenburg, Fire Chief at the Elk Park Volunteer Fire Department, said. “We had to bring in heavy equipment and open the road up.”
The storm left homes destroyed, trees toppled and cars flipped. It’s left roads near rivers and creeks nearby unrecognizable.
“Used to be a paved road, houses on both sides,” he said. “They’re gone.”
“You’ll see some vehicles down here that are sideways, and they’ll have spray paint on ’em,” Ellenburg continued. “Marking that that vehicle has been checked and that nobody was inside of it or around it.”
Ellenburg says he believes there are four areas around Elk Park in a similar state, damaged and difficult to get into. Despite that, help is still coming, both from the town and the rest of the state.
“We’re just trying to get it organized,” Connie Guinn, a volunteer said, standing in front of pallets of food and water. “Because we can’t find nothing, and neither can anybody else.”
Donations have continued to arrive at the Elk Park Volunteer Fire Department. Ellenburg says some have even come from around the country.
Other agencies, like the Dallas, North Carolina volunteer fire department, have also arrived to help where they can.
“It’s amazing how well and good the people are helping out,” Guinn said.
Ellenburg says it will take time to rebuild their community, but it’s made easier to get through with neighbors like theirs.
“I would only say that I don’t want to live anywhere else but here in Avery County, North Carolina,” he said.
