CORCORAN, Minn — A once-hectic scene is now clear in the northwest Twin Cities suburb of Corcoran after an extended hostage situation that began Wednesday afternoon ended safely 15 hours later.
Corcoran police say the situation began just before 12:15 p.m. when officers were dispatched on a "unknown problem" call in the area of Cherry Lane and Mystique Drive. When squads arrived they learned that a person armed with a gun was barricaded inside a home with a hostage inside.
Officers negotiated with the suspect, identified Thursday as 49-year-old Ryan Strandmark, for several hours while specialty law enforcement units were called in from across the Twin Cities. Strandmark eventually released the hostage but remained inside the building, breaking off communication with officials.
At approximately 3:25 a.m., Corcoran police say, Strandmark emerged from the home suffering from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound and was taken into custody. First responders provided medical aid before transferring him to North Memorial Hospital, where he remained in critical condition Thursday evening.
A KARE 11 News crew saw armored vehicles and squad cars starting to leave the scene around 5:30 a.m. Corcoran police said on Thursday morning that restrictions on residents getting in and out of the neighborhood have been lifted, and that there is no continuing danger to the public.
Strandmark was subsequently charged with felony aggravated assault, while authorities consider additional charging options.
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