Illinois standoff ends after 14 hours

OLIVE BRANCH, Ill. -- An Illinois man barricaded himself in an Olive Branch home for more than 14 hours after allegedly brandishing a gun at a sheriff and deputy.

The standoff between Rodney J. Petermichel, 42, of Olive Branch, and police ended around 7:10 a.m. Thursday as Petermichel walked out of the West Street residence belonging to his parents.

He was immediately apprehended and transported to the Tri-County Correctional Center in Ullin, Ill., according to Illinois State Police trooper Bridget Rice.

The state police responded to assist the Alexander County Sheriff's Department around 5:10 p.m. Wednesday after learning the suspect barricaded himself in the house, Rice said.

Petermichel's family members alerted police to check on his welfare around 4:30 p.m. Wednesday, said Alexander County Sheriff David Barkett. When officers located Petermichel near his parents' residence, he had two long guns in his possession and barricaded himself in the house, Barkett said. Police did not confirm the type of guns.

Petermichel pointed a gun at Barkett and his deputy on several occasions throughout the night, he said.

The suspect refused repeated requests to surrender, even after hours spent talking to hostage negotiators, Rice said. Calling in hostage negotiators during a barricade situation is procedure, even if there is no one else in the house, she said.

Police did not confirm whether anyone else was in the house.

A search plane was also dispatched during the situation to help secure the perimeter and provide light should Petermichel have attempted to escape, Barkett said.

Charges will be recommended to Alexander County State's Attorney Jeff Farris, Barkett said.

Farris could not be reached for comment.

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