UPDATE: Roughly 44 Hour Armed Standoff in St. Michael is Over

Originally published 9:01 a.m. June 22nd, 2022

Updated 4:28 a.m. June 23rd, 2022

(KNSI) — A roughly 44-hour standoff in St. Michael is over after police stormed the home to apprehend the wanted felon holed up inside.

Negotiators worked almost two full days to coax 39-year-old Brandon Gardas out of the house before going in around 8:30 Wednesday night to arrest him. According to a press release, officers went in to place him under arrest, and after an armed confrontation, he was shot. He was immediately airlifted to a nearby hospital for treatment. His condition is not known.

Gardas had been holed up since 12:37 a.m. Tuesday morning. Police were initially called to the house on the 500 block of Central Avenue West after a fight between Gardas and a woman. They were told he was reportedly carrying a rifle. Gardas had active warrants for his arrest for domestic assault and a weapons violation. Police also learned a woman and kids were in the house, who all got out unharmed.

Police say he fired several rounds at law enforcement during the ordeal. They tried several methods to push Gardas out of the home, including multiple rounds of tear gas.

In a press conference at 4:00 p.m Wednesday, Wright County Sheriff Sean Deringer said the situation had already become the longest negotiation he had ever been a part of. Several agencies were called in to assist. At that time, Deringer was still committed to a peaceful resolution, saying sanctity of life for both Gardas and law enforcement was paramount. Deringer also said Gardas was armed with at least a long gun and a handgun and several rounds were fired at police. He also said he believes the rounds came from the long gun and that they did hit nearby homes. The houses surrounding the scene were evacuated during the standoff.

The Wright County Sheriff’s Office is asking people to continue avoiding the area. All further updates are expected to come from the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension.

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KNSI News reporters Grant Dossetto, Jake Judd and Jennifer Lewerenz contributed to this story.

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