UPDATE: Domestic Assault Suspect Engaged in Hours Long Standoff in Custody

UPDATE: Posted 6:35 p.m. Tuesday, January 26th:

(KNSI) – An hours-long standoff between a domestic assault suspect and the Wright County SWAT team is over.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office said the 35-year-old suspect had been in his van holding police at bay since about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday.

Everything started just after 8:00 Monday night when a woman called 911 to say her husband had assaulted her and fled from their Albertville home. Police say the man returned about 12:20 a.m. and reportedly had a handgun with him but again left the home before police arrived. A deputy spotted his vehicle and attempted to pull him over, but the man refused, leading police on a chase that ended near Eastview Elementary School in Monticello, canceling classes for the day at that school and the area around it to go into lockdown.

Police said the suspect refused to comply with their commands and would not get out of his van. They believed the gun was still in the van and tried negotiating with the man, who was safely apprehended, according to a press release from the Wright County Sheriff’s Office, which KNSI received about 6:20 Tuesday night.

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Original post at 10:36 a.m. Tuesday, January 26th:

(KNSI) – The Wright County Sheriff’s Office is in an ongoing standoff with a domestic assault suspect in Monticello.

Deputies say they were called to a home just after 8:00 Monday night for a woman who said she had been assaulted by her husband, who left their Albertville home when she called 911. He allegedly returned just after midnight and reportedly had a handgun with him. He again left the home before police arrived but was found in his vehicle a short time later. Officers tried to pull the man over, but they say he fled, and the pursuit ended near the intersection of Fenning Avenue and School Boulevard in Monticello.

Deputies say the man is still in his van, which police have surrounded, and is refusing to cooperate. Police believe he is still armed.

The area around the scene has been locked down, including Eastview Elementary School, which closed for the day due to the standoff. The public is being asked to stay away until further notice.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.