Suspect in 44-hour St. Michael standoff in stable condition
Law enforcement officials are at the scene of a standoff in St. Michael.[KSTP]
Authorities say a man who was involved in a standoff that lasted two days is in stable condition Thursday after he was injured during a shooting with law enforcement.
According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, 39-year-old Brandon Gardas was flown to a Minneapolis hospital to be treated for his injuries.
Gardas was shot after officers entered the home where he had barricaded himself, resulting in an “armed confrontation,” according to the sheriff’s office. Gardas was wanted on a felony warrant at the time of the standoff.
The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is now investigating the case due to the officer-involved shooting.
The standoff lasted nearly two days.
According to the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, deputies were called to the 500 block of Central Avenue West in the city of St. Michael for a report of a gun complaint Tuesday.
The person reporting the incident said a man and woman were arguing, and the man was carrying a rifle.
Gardas of St. Michael was said to have active warrants for his arrest. He is a convicted felon, and the warrants are for his arrest on various charges, including domestic assault and possession of a firearm.
KSTP 5 INVESTIGATES located court documents that indicated law enforcement officers have previously been to Gardas’ home.
According to KSTP, online records on Wednesday show Gardas’ wife, 37-year-old Chelsea Gardas, is in custody and is being held on a charge of aiding an offender to avoid arrest.