Clare Man Charged After Police Standoff At Motel Involving Dozens Of Swords

"We’re looking in excess of 30 swords or knives that we now have in our possession,” says Clare City Chief of Police, Brian Gregory.

Clare city police say they found even more weapons than that after a standoff with a man who threatened to hurt people at a motel.

Police say the man was armed with blades when he locked himself in his cabin.

Clare City Police say it started when he pushed someone down at the Lone Pine Motel.

It then turned into a standoff situation.

9&10’s Cody Boyer and photojournalist Derrick Larr went to the motel to find out how this all escalated.

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The Clare City Chief of Police says Bernie Gossett, 67, locked himself in his cabin after pushing down someone who lived nearby, then threatening to kill anyone who tried to come inside.

"Apparently, when the officer got there, the victim had told him that our suspect was armed inside his cabin with several swords and long knives and then made threats to not necessarily kill her, but kill anyone that came around,” Gregory says. "Anytime that somebody makes threats like that and obviously then locks themselves inside their apartment, their home, their residence wherever they may be, we take concern to that."

When officers spoke to him through his door, Gregory says Gossett came out peacefully.

Inside, they found more than 50 blades, including throwing stars, samurai swords — even a bear trap.

The chief says they also seized prescription bottles in Gossett’s name.

"I talked to him briefly. He came out without incident, which is exactly what we were hoping for,” Gregory says. "We know that there was some prescription drugs in there for him, legal, prescription drugs so whether he was not taking them, maybe had taken too many, we don’t know."

The manager filling in at the motel, Bill, says Gossett is a veteran who was off of his medication.

"I called for some police assistance just to do a safety check on a guy because I was told that he wasn’t taking his meds right and he was losing it,” Bill says. “Whatever happened that day, the man is being taken care of. He’s getting the meds that he needs and they are watching over him."

Gossett was charged today with having dangerous weapons, a five-year felony.

He was also charged with assault, a 93-day misdemeanor.

The motel says they are not pressing charges of their own.