Police: Suspect In Grilled Cheese Barricade Illegally Kept Guns

The suspect in Sunday's barricade sparked, police say, by a grilled cheese sandwich has been charged with felonies.

Baltimore County Police say Daniel Brian Blackwell, 55, of the 7100 block of East Baltimore Street isn't allowed to own guns because of prior assault convictions. However, police found 15 firearms in his rowhome. along with ammunition and gun accessories.

The loaded weapons included a rifle, two handguns and a shotgun. Blackwell also had a number of other rifles, shotguns and a handgun that were not loaded.

Blackwell has been charged with attempted first- and second-degree murder, first- and second-degree assault, reckless endangerment and firearms charges.

Police were called to Blackwell's home at 4:48 p.m. Sunday for what was said to be a domestic disturbance involving a gun. Blackwell's wife told the officers first on the scene Blackwell became incensed when she took a bite from his grilled cheese sandwich. She said the first shot was fired while she was making dinner. She went down to the basement to find her husband surrounded by guns and ammo and went back upstairs. So did her husband, police say, but he soon went back downstairs. Soon, she heard three more shots, all of which came through the kitchen floor near where she was standing.

She and three teens exited the house and met officers. A three-hour standoff ensued, one that required tactical, K-9 and hostage negotiation teams. Blackwell then exited with a holster of ammunition but no weapon. Officers then used pepper balls to subdue and apprehend him before taking him to an area hospital for minor injuries, where he remains in police custody pending an emergency evaluation.

A loaded long gun with a chambered round was found just inside the front door.

Body camera footage from the incident exists, police say, but remains part of the ongoing investigation.