5 days Ago
Michigan City police said they were called out shortly after 9 p.m. Saturday to the Baymont hotel a 4128 Franklin St.
for a report of children possibly being battered by a man. Officers spoked to the mother of the children, who told them she had been arguing with her boyfriend, Nathaniel Gruntzel, 27, of Wisconsin, after learning he was wanted in Wisconsin on allegations of sexually assaulting a child, police said. She said Gruntzel had taken her keys and was sitting in the her vehicle in the parking lot.
Police said after confirming the arrest warrant out of Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, and learning the state would extradite, police located Gruntzel, who fled to the nearby Meijer store. As Gruntzel jumped a fence to enter the garden center of the store, he allegedly dropped and quickly recovered a handgun. Gruntzel, who held the gun to his head, was contained to the garden center, police said.
As other police agencies arrived to help, the store was evacuated. A crisis negotiator with the Michigan City Police Department was called to the scene and spent more than six hours trying to convince Gruntzel to drop the gun and surrender. "Despite incredible efforts, Mr.
Gruntzel made the decision to shoot himself in the upper torso," police said. Police said they took possession of his gun and began life-saving measures before Gruntzel was taken to a local hospital and then on to South Bend for advance care. Police said it does not appear the injuries are life threatening and Gruntzel was to remain under the 24-hour watch of a guard at the hospital until he is released and taken to the LaPorte County Jail.
In addition to facing the arrest warrant from Wisconsin, Gruntzel is charged locally with unlawful carrying of a handgun, resisting law enforcement and disorderly conduct, records show..
