ROGERS HEIGHTS, Mich. –One woman is dead and three others were molested during a standoff situation in Mecosta County Thursday night, according to the Mecosta County Sheriff’s Department.
During a news conference Friday morning, investigators said the incident began around 8:30 p.m. at a Rogers Heights home on Cramer Road, just south of Big Rapids. Police received a call saying that there were shots fired in the area. Deputies later learned that a man forced his way into the home, carrying a long gun.
When officials arrived to the home they discovered that the 27-year-old suspect was holding hostages in the home.
A 55-year-old woman was shot and killed at the scene while three children, two 7-year-old boys and a 10-month-old girl, and three women, ages 20-30 were inside the home.
The Michigan State Police became involved and a negotiator was called to the scene.
The man let the children and two of the women out just before 5 a.m. and then, at about 6:30 a.m. the last woman was released and the suspect was arrested.
The sheriff’s department said that the women were all molested during the standoff. Police say that the children were not hurt. No names are being released yet.
The Mecosta County Sheriff’s Department said the suspect lives across the street from where the standoff took place.
The suspect has three previous domestic violence charges, according to police. He will be arraigned some time this afternoon. The Mecosta County Prosecutor is looking to charge the man with multiple charges including felony murder, several counts of criminal sexual conduct and firearms charges.
