BPD statement says man threatened police with “AK-47” before CIRT was dispatched

BLOOMINGTON, UNITED STATES – JANUARY 03: Members of the Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) respond after Cecil L. Gilbert, who is unhoused, barricaded himself in a hotel room at the Indiana Memorial Union building at Indiana University on January 3, 2022, in Bloomington, Ind. Police were dispatched after Gilbert, who wasn’t a guest in room 107, refused to leave, and made threats against police. Finally, after several hours, CIRT used teargas before Gilbert was taken into custody around 2 a.m., on January 4, 2022. Gilbert has a long criminal history, including a recent charge of battery by means of a deadly weapon. (Photo by Jeremy Hogan/The Bloomingtonian)

Bloomington Police Department Capt. Ryan Pedigo released the following information Tuesday morning about CIRT’s involvement in the incident:

“BPD has received several inquiries about our involvement in the situation on the Indiana University campus last night. Below is a summary of BPD’s involvement:

On 1/3/2022 at approximately 9:00 p.m., the Indiana University Police Department contacted the Bloomington Police Department and requested that the BPD Critical Incident Response Team (CIRT) respond to the Indiana Memorial Union. IUPD stated that a man had barricaded himself inside an unsecured guest room at the Memorial Union and was claiming to have family held hostage inside the room. Further, the man had reportedly advised officers that he was armed with an AK-47 rifle.

BPD’s CIRT did respond to the scene along with the BPD Hostage Negotiation Team. Negotiators were able to eventually make verbal contact with the man, but the man refused to exit the room. He again advised officers that he was armed with an “automatic weapon” and continued to make threats about using the weapon. Non-lethal techniques were eventually utilized at approximately 1:36 a.m. and the man then exited the room and was taken into custody without injury. The scene was secured and turned over to custody of the IUPD. CIRT members cleared from the scene with no further involvement. All questions about criminal charges should be directed to the Indiana University Police Department.”