Benjamin Ray Bryant
SPRINGFIELD — Residents in an apartment complex near Meadow Park were evacuated just after 9 a.m. on June 25, after police responded to a report of a man with a handgun on the balcony, threatening for a police shootout.
Springfield Police Department (SPD) detectives on an unrelated nearby assignment responded and located the suspect, Benjamin Ray Bryant, 32, on the second-story balcony at 737 1st St. with a handgun. He was reportedly saying he was prepared for a shootout with the police once the media arrived, said Springfield Sgt. David Grice. Nearby residents were evacuated.
The SWAT Team and crisis negotiators attempted to negotiate a peaceful surrender, though Bryant reportedly refused to communicate with the police and a family member, who offered help in the negotiations.
Bryant remained silent throughout the four-hour incident, police said, but did access social media to livestream the event.
At 1:36 p.m. the SWAT Team, with the assistance of a diversionary device and a police K9, took Bryant into custody.
Bryant was treated at the scene by medics for a dog bite he received, and lodged at the Lane County Jail. He is charged with Parole Board Warrant for Assault II & Assaulting a Public Safety Officer, Felon in Possession of a Weapon. and Menacing with Firearm.
