Jennifer Kern
Staff Writer

What began as a man disgruntled with Washington County authorities quickly turned into a lengthy stand-off in Forest Lake on Thursday.

Dan Southerling, who lives at 1214 Island Drive, was apprehended by police following a stand-off that lasted six hours in his home.

The stand-off began in the 4 oíclock hour after authorities were alerted to the Southerling home. By 7 p.m., television news choppers hovered above and a crowd had gathered at the site.

The Island Estates development, where the stand-off occurred, is made up of about 50 townhomes with its main access road connecting to SW 11th Ave.

Grumbling amongst the crowd suggested Southerling had held his 17 year-old son hostage over a problem he had with Washington County officials.

ìIt was some type of disenchantment with government,î described Forest Lake Police Chief Clark Quiring.

Neighbors noted police prohibited them from entering their homes and those inside the houses were told to close and stay away from their windows.

ìI came back at 5 p.m. and this is what greeted me.î mentioned one neighbor, who declined to give her name. She said she had lived in the neighborhood for six years and thought Southerling had been there for three or four years.

Into the night

Negotiations were ongoing with Southerling, who watched television broadcasts of the stand-off.

ìHe made a call to the media,î explained Quiring.

By 8 p.m., reinforcements arrived including Washington County Special Ops, the Washington County Reserve Unit and S.W.A.T.

As dusk approached, power was cut off to the home. At one point, talks with Southerling grew particularly tense when he began destroying items in his house, Quiring described.

The situation escalated around 10:30 p.m., when a ball of fire rose from the roof of the home. Police moved quickly as they ushered the crowd away and moved vehicles to accommodate emergency fire response.

The stand-off came to an end as authorities moved in and apprehended Southerling.

ìWe forced entry after the fire started.î Quiring said.

The son, who was determined to have not been held hostage in the situation, came out of the home and cooperated with police.

A police dog utilized in search and attain efforts, located and bit Southerling, who remained holed up in the house.

The son was taken into custody by police and Southerling was removed by stretcher from the scene, with minor injuries.

Quiring said Southerling allegedly threw a flammable liquid on the roof of the house, causing the fire. The Forest Lake Fire Department quickly contained the flames.

Southerling has been charged with first degree arson and posted bond this week, which was set at $20,000, police said. Court dates on the charge have been set for later this month.

Though he hasnít been charged, police have recommended Southerlingís 17 year-old son be charged with aiding and abetting in an arson.

He was placed in the custody of his mother.

Though Quiring is unhappy that the stand-off occurred, he is confident that police handled the situation appropriately.

ìOur officers did what we had to do,î he said.

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Forest Lake Times
P.O. Box 218
880 SW 15 St.
Forest Lake, MN 55025
651-464-4601
Fax 651-464-4605