Robots, Gas, Potentially to be Used in Armed Standoff in Missoula After Shots Fired

Update 3:30 p.m. - After receiving a bullet during the standoff with a man in the Hollywood Trailer Park on Missoula's north side, the Missoula SWAT team van has been relocated. Police have since brought in a large black truck with the letters IEDEOD. The truck is an improvised explosive device/explosive ordinance detonation response unit.

According to police on the scene, the plan at this point is to send in two robots. The first of which simply has a camera. If the first robot is successful, a second robot will be sent with a cell phone. If the individual does not comply or respond, the next step will be to use an ordinance of Oleoresin Capsicum (an ingredient in pepper spray) to push the suspect outside.

Although the name of the suspect has not been released, he is described as being 6'4'' and weighing around 250 pounds.

Update 2:10 p.m. - Gunshots were heard from the trailer park at around 2:05 p.m., and police have confirmed that the shots came from the trailer involved in the standoff.

"A gun has been fired from inside the trailer and hit the side of the SWAT van," reported Missoula Police Sgt. Mark Horner.

Horner said that no one has been injured, and that it is uncertain exactly who fired the shot. The gunshot confirms that a weapon is involved in the dispute, but authorities are still unsure what kind of weapon was shot.

Power has been cut to the home. Horner confirmed that the situation began when the man involved in the standoff punched another man in the face. The gun shots have changed the dynamic of the conflict, and Horner reports that there are no plans to enter the building at this time.

Gas masks were seen passed to police officers in the area.

Update: 1:30 p.m. - Residents in the Hollywood Trailer Park on Cooley Street in Missoula are reporting that police are asking them to remain inside while standoff negotiations continue with a man locked inside one of the trailer homes. Those nearby report hearing indiscernible shouting.

"Not sure what got things stirred up," said neighbor Brock Eggleston,"but they extended the barricades. They have all of Cooley blocked off from Russell down to the other end."

Eggleston said he has heard various reports from officers and has gathered details from listening to the megaphones from the SWAT van near his home. Among the details are concerns that a woman is locked inside the house with the man. It is still unclear if the woman is there by her own will or if the conflict is a potential hostage situation.

Eggleston reports that the man is carrying a rifle and has sent out text messages declaring that he is scared to go outside because he might be shot.

Eggleston also claimed that snipers were posted near his home and that the authorities were attempting to make contact with the suspect via a phone call from a family member.

Eggleston was told by a police officer that they expect nearby residents will need to remain indoors until 5:00 p.m.

Original 11 a.m. - What started as an argument between two men, has ended in a stalemate between one individual locked up in a mobile home and the Missoula Police Department.

"At approximately 7:38 a.m. this morning (September 23), we received a 9-1-1 call of a male vs. male disturbance," said Missoula Police Detective Sgt. Scott Pastian. "One male was claiming to have been assaulted, and the information we have is that there may have been a gun involved. Responding officers tried to make contact, but at this point that has been unfruitful."

So far, the standoff has lasted over three hours. Pastian said SWAT members are helping to manage the situation along with standard uniformed patrols.

Although no shots have been fired, due to the report of a gun, police are treating the situation as an armed standoff.

The standoff is taking place at the corner of Cooley Street and Burns Street in Missoula's north side.