Barricaded suspect caused chaos today in Niles Township and Brandywine community schools were put on lockdown

NILES, Mich.--- A Barricaded suspect caused chaos today in Niles Township. Two schools were placed on lockdowns and SWAT team members surrounded the home on the 1600 block of Florence Avenue.

The situation started when the Berrien County Sheriff’s office got a call from inside the home. The person told officers a 21-year-old man was threatening them with a knife.

The suspect with the knife was also a resident according to investigators. Deputies were told that the suspect locked the doors and barricaded himself inside the home.

According to the Berrien County Sheriff’s Office, they did make entry into the home, and found that the suspect had left the residence prior to deputies arrival.

While the situation unfolded Brandywine community schools were put on lockdown as a safety precaution. No one was harmed.

A neighbor that lives on Florence said she was a substitute teacher at the Brandywine elementary school when the lockdown occurred.

“It’s scary because you just don’t know what the circumstances are,” said Axline. “And you hope that once everything is clear, you keep the kids as calm as possible, and you stay as calm as possible so the kids are not upset and all of that.”

Another neighbor, Toni Dykema, said she was shocked something like this was happening in her neighborhood. She stated she was just glad the children were safe.

“It was a little nerve wracking, I’m glad the children got on lock down," said Dykema. I’m glad the kids weren’t out walking around with all the cops and whatever this guy was up to. So I’m glad it’s all taken care of and everybody is safe.”

Right now the Berrien County deputies are still investigating. They will turn their findings over to the prosecutor’s office.