Suspect Arrested After Firing Shot at Officer, Standoff in Willmar
Willmar police arrested a 36-year-old man early Sunday morning after he allegedly fired a gunshot at an officer during a foot pursuit and was holed up in a garage for hours, armed with a handgun.
Police said Esteban Ramos Jr., of Raymond, Minn., was stopped by an officer on the 100 block of High Ave. NE. just before 8:40 p.m. Saturday in Willmar. Ramos exited his vehicle and fled on foot. The officer gave chase and Ramos allegedly fired a shot toward the officer, who was uninjured.
A perimeter was set up, with assistance from surrounding agencies and the State Patrol.
Officers attempted to track Ramos through the neighborhood using a drone and a Minnesota State Patrol aircraft, focusing their efforts on several different buildings where the suspect may have hidden.
Just after midnight, officers found that an unattached garage in the 100 block of Ella Ave. NE. may have been entered. A short time later, a suspect was found inside the garage by utilizing a remote robotic camera.
The suspect refused to comply with officers and SWAT teams used tear gas and a “vehicle-mounted ram” to take Ramos into custody at about 2:30 a.m., Willmar police said in a media release. Ramos had “various self-inflicted injuries” and was transported to Carris Hospital by ambulance. A firearm was recovered from the scene, police said.
Ramos was treated at the hospital and is currently being held in the Kandiyohi County Jail.
Ramos had an outstanding federal firearms warrant and an outstanding misdemeanor warrant from Lyon County, police said. Pending new charges may include 2nd degree assault, felon in possession of a firearm and fleeing a police officer.