Authorities apprehended an armed individual at the Stellantis Sterling Heights Assembly Plant on Saturday, leading to the evacuation of staff during a tense three-hour standoff. The incident began around 4:30 p.m. when police received a 911 call about a man reportedly carrying a handgun and behaving erratically inside the facility.
Sterling Heights Police Captain Mario Bastianelli noted that officers swiftly arrived and managed to contain the suspect in a confined area of the plant. Fortunately, no shots were fired, and there were no injuries reported. Bastianelli expressed relief at the peaceful resolution, stating, “The plant was shut down for a few hours but everyone was safe, which is the best outcome we could have in this situation.”
As of 7:30 p.m., about 20 minutes following the arrest, Stellantis began preparations to reopen the plant. The police remain unclear about the motivations behind the employee bringing a firearm to work. Investigators are looking into whether the individual was under the influence or experiencing a mental health crisis. Bastianelli emphasized the importance of assessing the man’s health needs moving forward.
The plant, which was operating with limited staff that day, is situated on Van Dyke Avenue north of Metropolitan Parkway in Sterling Heights. Employees shared news of the situation on social media as they were instructed to exit the premises for safety.
This incident highlights the ongoing need for mental health support and crisis intervention resources in workplaces, ensuring that employees have access to help when needed.