ISANTI, MN — A domestic disturbance call in Isanti turned into a long standoff Wednesday, Aug. 5, after police say gunfire came from a home in the 800 block of Cedar St. SW. The incident prompted a shelter-in-place order, a perimeter around the house and the cancellation of that night’s city council meeting.
No one was reported injured, though police said shots struck neighboring homes. The suspect and other people inside the house were later taken to area hospitals for evaluation and were released.
How the standoff unfolded
Police said officers were first called around 2 p.m. for a report of a man throwing items into the street. When officers arrived, the man went back inside the home and officers heard and saw gunshots coming from the residence.
The Isanti County Sheriff’s Office issued the shelter-in-place order as law enforcement contained the area. Tactical teams from neighboring counties were requested while the suspect stayed barricaded inside for nearly seven hours.
Suspect taken into custody
At about 8:30 p.m., an Anoka County SWAT member fired at the suspect, according to police. Authorities then took him into custody and later booked him into the Isanti County Jail after he was released from the hospital.
The jail roster identified the suspect as 42-year-old Jason Michael Phillips. He is expected to face at least six felony charges, including use of deadly force against law enforcement, child neglect and reckless discharge of a firearm.
Agencies continue investigation
The Isanti Police Department and Isanti County Sheriff’s Office are handling the investigation into the assault portion of the case. The Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension is reviewing the law enforcement use of force.
Police said the gunfire damaged nearby homes but did not strike any people. Officials did not report any additional injuries from the incident.
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