Barricaded Nowthen Standoff Ends After 17 Hours; Anoka Man Charged With Multiple Felonies

NOWTHEN, Minn.
An Anoka man accused of threatening law enforcement, firing a handgun inside a residence, destroying police equipment, and setting a home on fire has been charged with multiple felony offenses following a nearly 17-hour barricade standoff in the City of Nowthen, according to court records and a news release from the Anoka County Sheriff’s Office.

The suspect, identified as Clinten Michael Larson, 39, of Anoka, was taken into custody on December 19, 2025, after a prolonged confrontation that began the previous day when deputies attempted to arrest him on multiple outstanding warrants.

Standoff and Threats Toward Law Enforcement

According to the criminal complaint, deputies responded to a Nowthen residence on December 18 after Larson’s mother confirmed he was inside the home. Other occupants were evacuated, and deputies established a perimeter when Larson refused to surrender.

Larson barricaded himself in the basement and repeatedly threatened to shoot law enforcement officers. Deputies reported hearing Larson state, “If a cop comes downstairs I will shoot them,” among other threats made during the standoff.

Gunfire and Destruction of Police Equipment

Law enforcement deployed tactical drones into the residence to monitor Larson’s movements. Video captured by one drone shows Larson wearing a black face mask and camouflage jacket while pointing and firing a black semi-automatic pistol at close range.

Investigators documented that Larson destroyed six police drones and one tactical robot during the incident. One of the robots was intentionally set on fire inside the home. Each piece of destroyed equipment was valued at more than $1,000, according to the complaint.

Chemical irritants were later introduced into the home in an effort to compel Larson’s surrender, but those efforts were unsuccessful, and the standoff continued into the following day.

Fire and Arrest

The incident escalated on December 19 when a significant fire broke out on the upper level of the residence in an area where Larson had previously been observed. Fire investigators later identified multiple suspected points of origin throughout the home.

Large propane torches were discovered in rooms where the fires were believed to have started, including one in an upstairs bedroom and another near a staircase where a destroyed tactical robot was found. Investigators reported extensive fire damage throughout the structure.

At approximately 1:00 p.m., Larson exited the residence wearing a gas mask and was taken into custody without incident. Deputies reported that Larson had a phone and a pistol holster on his person at the time of arrest. No injuries to Larson or to law enforcement officers were reported.

The home sustained severe fire and water damage. Water used to extinguish the fire later froze inside the structure, rendering the residence unsafe and preventing investigators from completing a full interior search.

Felony Charges Filed

Larson has been charged in Anoka County District Court with five felony offenses:

• Arson, First Degree, Dwelling
  Minnesota Statute §609.561.1
  Maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $20,000 fine
• Assault, Second Degree, Dangerous Weapon
  Minnesota Statute §609.222.1, with reference to §609.11.5(a)
  Maximum penalty of 7 years in prison and a $14,000 fine
• Arson, Third Degree
  Minnesota Statute §609.563.1(a)
  Maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
• Threats of Violence, Reckless Disregard Risk
  Minnesota Statute §609.713.1
  Maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
• Damage to Property, First Degree
  Minnesota Statute §609.595.1(4)
  Maximum penalty of 5 years in prison and a $10,000 fine
  Anoka County Sheriff's Press Rl…

A district court judge has ordered Larson held in custody pending further proceedings.

Investigation Continues

The Anoka County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that the incident remains under active investigation and that no additional information will be released at this time.

MinneapoliMedia