Kids removed from surrounded GR house

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) - About 14 or 15 people, including several children, were removed from a northwest-side home after Grand Rapids police had it surrounded for a time Wednesday evening.

Police were called around 6:30 p.m. to the scene in the 1200 block of Widdicom Avenue NW. There had allegedly been an assault involving a firearm after a dispute between two neighbors, according to GRPD.

It was believed a man in a house had threatened another person with a weapon. A perimeter was set up around a home in the area and several other neighborhood streets were blocked by police cruisers.

Though originally uncooperative, the 43-year-old suspect surrendered around 8:30 p.m. He was arrested and being lodged at the Kent County Correctional Facility on two unrelated warrants.

None of the people removed from the home were injured.

"We were dealing with a subject that was armed, that was barricaded in the house. He eventually did surrender," said GRPD Capt. Dan Savage. "The only delay was having the rest of the people exit the house so we could safely conduct a search of the residence for the firearm."

Police searched the house, but a weapon had not been recovered. Police cleared the scene around 9:30 p.m.

The incident remains under investigation.

At the height of the police presence, the GRPD Special Response Team was on the scene and a command unit was set up at a nearby bank. A 24 Hour News 8 crew at the scene reported there were at least 20 police vehicles in the area. Emergency medical units were also there.