On July 15, 2018 at approximately 3:02 P.M. Bismarck Police units responded to 217 S 1st Street for a report of an armed robbery in which a firearm had been discharged. Police initially made contact with the suspect outside his residence but he quickly retreated back into his home.
The responding officers retreated away from the residence and the West Dakota SWAT team was called in to assist. While attempting to make contact with the suspect several gunshots were heard from inside the residence.
During the incident natural gas could be smelled and it was believed to be coming from the residence. Because of this, local residents were evacuated and extra precautions had to be taken to prevent an explosion.
When it was safe to do so, entry was made into the residence and the suspect was found deceased from what appeared to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound.
The suspect’s next of kin was notified of his death this morning so we can now release the identity of the individual involved in this incident. His name is Willie Leam Peoples and it has been confirmed that he did live at the address where the incident took place. Peoples was fifty-nine years of age.
Further investigation found that an individual had gone to Peoples home to purchase a vehicle that Peoples had listed for sale. During the transaction Peoples displayed a handgun and discharged it in the direction of the other person, which prompted a 911 call to police.