Interstate 95 Standoff Ends After Armed Group Of Men Refused Police Orders

A standoff in Massachusetts ended in 11 arrests after a militant group shut down a portion of Interstate 95 over the Fourth of July holiday weekend.

The incident began around 2 a.m. on Saturday when a state trooper noticed two vehicles flashing hazard lights, attempting to refuel in the breakdown lane.

When the trooper approached the vehicles, he noticed the men were dressed in tactical gear and armed.

The men claimed they were traveling from Rhode Island to Maine for “training.” However, when the group couldn't produce proper credentials to back up their story, the trooper called for additional units.

“You can imagine 11 armed individuals standing with long guns slung on an interstate highway at 2 in the morning certainly raises concerns and is not consistent with the firearms laws that we have in Massachusetts,” Massachusetts State Police Col. Christopher Mason said in a statement.

Once more officials arrived, the men refused to discard their weapons, claiming to be from a group “that does not recognize our laws.” They then headed into a wooded area, which led to the nearly nine-hour standoff.

At the time, local law enforcement advised residents to shelter in place. “No threats were made, but these men should be considered armed and dangerous. We are asking residents in these areas to lock their doors and remain inside their homes. A heavy police presence will be in this area as well,” the Wakefield Police Department wrote in a statement.

The suspects eventually surrendered when police tactical teams were able to tighten the perimeter around them by using armored vehicles.

Of the 11 suspects arrested, two were hospitalized for preexisting conditions.

The shelter-in-place orders put in place for Wakefield and Reading have since been lifted.

The suspects are expected to appear in court on Tuesday.