Stand-off ends peacefully

A Polson man was taken into custody early Tuesday morning, following a stand-off that ended after the county’s Special Response Team was able to subdue the man without injury.

Polson police were dispatched to 4th Ave. East at about 12:30 a.m. Tuesday morning, following a report of a suicidal male. At the residence, they discovered Lewis Pierre had barricaded himself inside following a domestic dispute with his girlfriend, according to a joint press release issued by the Sheriff’s office and Polson fire department.

Polson police blocked off 4th Ave. East and 8th St. East, and set up a command post in the parking lot of a nearby doctor’s office. At the advice of Polson chief Doug Chase, the county SRT was brought in. The team is made up of Sheriff’s deputies, Tribal officers, and Polson police officers who train for higher risk operations.

Sheriff’s negotiators attempted to make contact with Pierre, who was alone, but he reportedly refused to talk with them or leave the residence, the press release states.

SRT command leaders decided to extract Pierre so that he would not hurt himself, and plans were made to enter the residence. Using distraction devices, the team was able to enter the residence at about 4:45 a.m. and take Pierre into custody. Nobody was harmed during the process.

Pierre was reportedly charged with felony assault with a weapon for the prior altercation with his girlfriend, and misdemeanor drug charges.

The Polson fire department was also called to the scene, because some of the distraction devices give off small explosions, similar to firecrackers, as well as smoke and heat. Polson ambulance service was also on standby, but no injuries were reported.