BLOOMINGTON — Bloomington and Indiana University police have taken a man into custody who allegedly entered the city's sewer system armed with a gun.
The incident started when Bloomington Police Department officers were called to Seminary Park around 9:30 a.m. on the report of a man swinging a steel rod, according to a press release from Bloomington police. While they were responding, they got a report the man went to a nearby parking lot to get a hatchet.
The man, later identified as a 37-year-old, then walked towards people in the park and threw a hatchet at them before walking south on First Street, according to the release. Officers later determined the man entered a storm drain.
This led to an hours-long standoff involving SWAT teams and several emergency alerts from Indiana University.
As the investigation continued, Bloomington police said the man told officers and he would shoot them if he entered the storm drain, according to the release.
He was eventually arrested on several preliminary charges, according to the release. Formal charges haven't been filed. He also had an outstanding warrant out of Daviess County for battery against a public safety official.
Bloomington police say there were no shots fired and he only had an empty handgun holster, according to the release. No firearms were located in the sewer system, but officers will continue searching to locate any possible firearms.
IUPD also urged people to disregard false reports of an active shooter on campus. The suspect is barricaded in the storm system and is not on campus.
WRTV Senior Digital Content Producer Andrew Smith contributed to this report.
-
IMS Yellow Shirts maintain long lasting friendships
On the track yellow means caution, but off the track, these yellow shirts make sure people know where they are going all month long.Jimmie Johnson to attempt his own version of Indy 500 & NASCAR doubleheader
Jimmie Johnson will attempt his own version of “The Double” when he becomes the first driver to be part of the Indianapolis 500 broadcast team hours before he competes in NASCAR’s Coca-Cola 600Woman charged after school discovers welts on kid's legs from "extension cord"
The mother is charged with Battery Resulting Bodily Injury when the Person is Under 14 years old...."I Didn't Know My Own Strength": Domestic violence survivor shares story in book
Renita Hills is an Indianapolis woman speaking out about her experiences with domestic violence, abuse and sexual assault. She shares her journey in a new book called "I Didn't Know My Own Strength."