Man arrested after hours-long standoff on I-35 near Faribault

A man was arrested Sunday evening following an hours-long armed standoff on the highway south of Faribault, according to the Rice County Sheriff’s Office.

According to authorities, the 41-year-old was stopped on northbound I-35 and exited his vehicle with a gun. He then ran into the southbound lane.

The highway was closed and residents were told to get out of the way of the gunman, who walked around the area with a gun for several hours, authorities said.

Officers ordered the man to drop the weapon and attempted to negotiate with him, but the man did not listen and fired several shots. No one was injured.

Authorities said the Minnesota State Patrol’s South Metro SWAT and Special Response Team used less-lethal means to apprehend the man.

Several other law enforcement agencies assisted in the standoff.