Wright County Sheriff Releases More Information About the Suspect in Tuesday’s Standoff

(KNSI) – The Wright County Sheriff’s Office is releasing more information about the hours-long standoff in Monticello Tuesday.

Police say they were called to a home in Albertville at 8:06 p.m. Monday for a reported domestic assault. When they arrived, they learned the 35-year-old suspect, Justin Dellwo, had fled the scene. After speaking with the wife, a “pick up and hold arrest order” was issued for felony-level domestic assault, but police didn’t know where the suspect was at the time.

Police were again called to the home at 12:23 a.m. after Dellwo returned to the house with a gun, officers say he left before police arrived.

A short time later, Dellwo was spotted driving on Jason Avenue and County Road 37 in Monticello, and when officers tried to pull him over, he refused, and officers gave chase. The pursuit ended near Fenning Avenue and School Boulevard, outside of Eastview Elementary School, at 12:34 a.m. Tuesday morning. Police believed he was still armed at the time and would not leave the gun and get out of the car. Police blocked off the area, and Monticello School Officials canceled class at Eastview for the day.

Police had the car surrounded near the roundabout at Fenning Avenue and School Boulevard and tried negotiating with Dellwo, who they say was claiming he wanted to hurt himself with the gun that was still in the car.

After more than 17 hours of negotiations, he surrendered at 6:08 p.m. Tuesday. Dellwo was treated for minor injuries and booked into the Wright County Jail. He faces several charges, including felony domestic assault, fleeing police, and felon in possession of a firearm.

A search of court records shows the suspect has been arrested several times for violations, including domestic assault by strangulation, domestic assault, theft, burglary, disorderly conduct, and drug possession.