Man Holds Toddler, 5 Others Hostage with Toy Gun

A man held six customers, including a toddler, hostage with a BB-gun for about an hour after barricading himself inside a restaurant on Detroit’s east side Tuesday. (Screenshot: WJBK video)

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A man armed with what turned out to be a toy gun held Detroit police officers at bay for an hour or more Tuesday before finally releasing a toddler and five other strangers he held hostage in a Coney Island restaurant on Detroit’s east side.

The 22-year-old man, who has not been identified, has a history of mental illness and was taken to a local hospital for evaluation after he peacefully surrendered, Detroit Police Chief James Craig said at a news conference, according to the Detroit Free Press,

WJBK-Channel 2, WDIV-Channel 4 and other media reports.

Craig credited the police department’s special response team with using “tremendous restraint” in their response to the situation, which “certainly provided a safe outcome.”

The standoff began about 7 p.m. when police responded to a 911 call about a man armed with what appeared to be an assault rifle who had barricaded himself inside the Gratoit Grill restaurant at 3121 Gratoit. Craig said he surrendered after speaking with his sister.

“We were able to use her at the very end so he could hear a familiar voice,” an officer at the scene told WDIV.

“Officers are trained, using appropriate tactics, and first and foremost they’re going to take their time, they’re going to communicate and resolve it without incident –- which happened in this situation,” Craig said.

Witnesses said the man walked in with the gun and demanded coffee, then waved his gun and refused to let customers to leave. Carmen Hatchet, who works at the restaurant, told WDIV that the man was upset about the coffee.

“He said, ‘I want some (expletive) free,’ “ Hatchett said. “I said, ‘What do you want for free?’ He said, ‘Coffee.’ So I gave him a cup of coffee. He said, ‘I don’t want that (expletive), I want fresh coffee.’ So I made him a thing of fresh cup.”

Craig said the man’s motive was unclear and police don’t know why he chose the Gratoit Grill.

“We don’t think it was personal,” he said. “What we did find out was that he might have purchased this BB gun replica earlier in the day. We’re not sure why this location or why the toy weapon. He didn’t appear to exhibit any violence, but the people inside probably thought it was a real weapon …”

No one was injured in the standoff.

“We’re happy with the outcome,” Craig said. “No one got hurt. He didn’t get hurt and he’s going to get treatment.”