Detroit man who led standoff over eviction charged

The Wayne County Prosecutor’s Office has levied charges against a Detroit man who barricaded himself in a van and sparked a lengthy standoff with police after officials tried to evict him.

Lawrence Turvill, 68, was arraigned Friday before 36th District Court Magistrate Laura Echartea on six counts of felonious assault, five counts of resisting and obstructing the police as well as nine counts of felony firearm.

The charges stem from his confrontation with authorities on Tuesday afternoon in the 800 block of Wheelock. Detroit police have said Turvill called 911 to report a break-in when bailiffs showed up with an eviction notice.

A neighbor said Turvill lived there for years but has been seen sleeping in a minivan behind the property.

The eviction notice was valid, but when a 36th District Court officer tried to tow Turvill’s van, the older man allegedly threatened him from inside the van, Wayne County prosecutors said in a statement Friday.

Turvill refused to leave when police arrived, and soon “exited the van armed with a rifle and fired it in the direction of one the officers,” the release read. “The officer fired his weapon and shot Turvill, who then fled back into his van refusing to come out.”

While city and state police blocked off several intersections nearby, negotiators spent hours speaking with Turvill, who initially declined medical attention despite a gunshot wound to his behind.

Turvill repeatedly insisted he would leave “in his own time,” Detroit Police Cmdr. Elvin Barren said Tuesday.

Shortly before 11 p.m., he surrendered and was taken to a local hospital for treatment.

During his court hearing Friday, Turvill received a $500,000 bond.

A probable cause conference is scheduled for 8:30 a.m. March 31 before Judge Deborah Lewis Langston at 36th District Court. His preliminary examination is set for April 6.