I-17 reopens after Phoenix police closed freeway for hostage situation
Oct 31, 2017, 2:09 PM | Updated: 8:58 pm
(AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)
PHOENIX — Phoenix police reopened the I-17 near Peoria Avenue after closing the freeway because of a hostage situation at a nearby hotel Tuesday.
The frontage road at Dunlap Avenue remained closed.
The situation started at 2:30 a.m. Tuesday morning when officers tried to make a traffic stop in the area of 27th and Dunlap avenues after seeing the suspect’s truck had a stolen license plate.
The driver didn’t stop, and abandoned the truck near I-17 and Peoria Avenue, before running to a nearby hotel where he was staying.
A woman, who claimed to be in the room with the suspect, texted her family and said the man was armed and she was not free to leave the room.
It was believed the man had a relationship with the woman.
Several rooms in the hotel had been evacuated, while other people in the hotel had been told to take shelter.
Authorities contacted the individual and the suspect threatened to shoot any police in the area.
As negotiations went on, officers heard a gunshot from inside the room. They forced their way in, safely getting to the two inside. The suspect had minor injuries, while the victim was not injured. No officers were harmed during the situation.