UPDATE: Michael Thibodeau Barricade Case

Sep 01, 2023 at 03:10 pm by WGNS


(MURFREESBORO) Here's an update on the subject who was arrested after an almost 4-hour standoff with Murfreesboro Police on Thursday (8/31/2023). It began around 12:30PM at Sitting Bull Crossing off Fortress Boulevard. A battering ram on an armored vehicle and tear gas finally made his surrender. No one was injured. 

The woman escaped and called 911, after Thibodeau reportedly threatened her with a gun. 

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In addition, WGNS has learned that the female rented the townhome on Aztec Drive and that Thibodeau was an invited guest.

Originally, 33-year-old Michael Thibodeau was charged with aggravated domestic assault. Those charges have been expanded to also include: felony vandalism between $10,000 and $60,000, reckless endangerment and vandalism under $1,000.

Thibodeau is being held on $47,000 bond at Rutherford County Adult Detention Center. A hearing is set at 8:00 o'clock Tuesday morning, September 12, 2023 in General Sessions Court.

What Happened

According to Murfreesboro Police reports, Thibodeau was the guest of the woman who was renting the townhouse on Aztec Drive. He allegedly had threatened her with a gun. She was able to escape and call 911 for help.

The first responder arrived at the scene around 12:30PM. Thibodeau was armed and had barricaded himself in the home. Within minutes an army of heavily armed Murfreesboro Police officers had secured a perimeter around the structure, while also getting neighbors to safety. 

The police' Special Operations Unit drove a heavy-duty armored vehicle to the front of the home, and using a large hydraulic controlled battering ram that was connected to front of the tank-type vehicle, the ram was positioned against the garage door. 

Murfreesboro Police have a history of combining heavy training and reacting quickly in order to reduce the risk of innocent people being injured.

When Thibodeau would not surrender, SWAT members began their move. The garage door was quickly removed. Officers saw the male run into the garage to pickup something from the floor.  At that point, officers shot several rubber bullets. 

Several Hours Had Passed

Thibodeau quickly ran upstairs and police threw several cannisters of tear gas into that section of the townhome. The 33-year old quickly surrendered. 

Thankfully, there were no injuries reported. 

Again, 33-year-old Michael Thibodeau is being held at the Rutherford County Adult Detention Center with his bond set at $47,000. His General Sessions Court hearing is set for 8:00AM on Sept. 12th.

NewsRadio WGNS will keep you informed.  

DISCLAIMER: All suspects are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law. The arrest records or information about an arrest that are published or reported on NewsRadio WGNS and www.WGNSradio.com are not an indication of guilt or evidence that an actual crime has been committed. 

CLICK HERE to see an earlier story as well as exclusive WGNS' photos of the incident