Sword-Wielding Man Arrested After 5 Hour Standoff In Oakland Co.: Cops

FARMINGTON HILLS, MI — A Farmington Hills man who threatened a neighbor with a sword was arrested after a five-hour standoff with police last Thursday, according to police.

Brandon Mayfield, 41, was charged with assault with a dangerous weapon (four-year felony), ethnic intimidation (two-year felony) and resisting a police officer (two-year felony), according to police.

He was placed in jail with a $100,000 bond. His next court hearing is scheduled for Monday.

Police said the incident happened on Aug. 15 at 6:45 a.m. on the 31000 block of Nine Mile Road, near Grand River Avenue at a four-unit apartment building.

A 28-year-old man told investigators that he was on his way home in a ride-share vehicle when the driver used a neighboring house's driveway, according to police.

The homeowner, later identified as Mayfield, followed the vehicle across the street and confronted the 28-year-old man as he exited the car, according to police.

Mayfield brandished a knife and yelled racial slurs, according to police.

The victim ran into his apartment and called 911, according to police.

While the victim was on the phone with police, he said he heard a loud pop that he believed was a gunshot from Mayfield's direction, according to police.

Mayfield then returned to his home and continued yelling racial slurs, according to police.

Officers arrived at the home and saw Mayfield standing in the driveway, armed with a sword, according to police.

Officers ordered Mayfield to drop the weapon, but he refused and ran into his apartment, according to police.

After hours of failed negotiations, officers used a chemical agent, which forced Mayfield out of the home, according to police.

He then surrendered to officers, according to police.

Officials confiscated numerous knives and swords, as well as a rifle and a spent shell casing from his home, according to police.

"Violent crime in any form is never acceptable, but this incident was further aggravated by racially influenced speech," Farmington Hills Police Chief Jeff King said in a statement. "The Farmington Hills Police will not tolerate these crimes in the community and will use every resource to bring offenders to justice to ensure the community remains safe for all people."

Anyone with information about the incident should call the Farmington Hills Police Department at (248) 871-2610.