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A 34-year-old man named Michael Haight was arrested following a tense stand-off with police in Albany on Saturday night (September 20). The incident began around 9:10 p.m. on Albany Street near Broadway, where police responded to a domestic-related call. According to the Albany Police Department, Haight was involved in a verbal altercation that escalated into physical violence. He allegedly punched, choked, and threw a woman to the floor, causing her non-life-threatening injuries.
When officers attempted to make contact with Haight, he emerged from a bedroom and threw a knife at them before retreating back inside. During the stand-off, Haight made several threats, including statements about killing everyone. The Albany Police Department’s Emergency Service Team and Crisis Management Team were called to the scene. After multiple attempts to resolve the situation peacefully, a chemical agent was deployed, leading to Haight's surrender and arrest.
Haight was taken to Albany Medical Center Hospital for a mental health evaluation. He faces multiple charges, including two counts of attempted assault, two counts of menacing a police officer, two counts of criminal possession of a weapon, one count of criminal obstruction of breathing, one count of assault, and one count of criminal mischief. Haight was scheduled for arraignment in Albany City Criminal Court on Sunday (September 21) morning.
The stand-off and subsequent arrest highlight ongoing concerns about domestic violence and the challenges faced by law enforcement in handling such volatile situations. The incident remains under investigation by the Albany Police Department.