7:30 p.m. – The hostage situation at Motel 6 has ended and I-29 is open for travel.

A more than 11 hour long standoff in St. Joseph was resolved around 7:30 p.m. Wednesday.

According to Capt. Jeff Wilson a man is in custody and a woman has been transported to Mosaic Life Care for treatment of her injuries.

Earlier in the day, James Fisher who works at Eagle Radio across the highway from Motel 6 said he heard a shot fired.

“When we were arriving at work another co-worker and I were coming into the parking lot and we heard what we though was a gunshot,” Fisher said. “So we walked across the parking lot and saw a woman running across the Motel 6 parking lot and watched that for several minutes then realized that there was something going on there.”

Bob Dobson was staying at Motel 6 when it was evacuated.

“At about 8:30 or 8:40 the police came to my door and said I had to leave right now,” Dobson said. “I said I’m not dressed yet they said just grab your stuff, grab your wallet and let’s go.”

Around 9:45 a.m. the Missouri State Highway Patrol blocked off I-29 northbound and southbound lanes from I-229 to 169 where traffic was diverted.  Police said the closure was due to the proximity of the highway to the motel and were concerned with the possibility of gunshots over the highway.  Frederick was also closed off from Woodbine to Buckingham St.  Several businesses near the Motel including Dennys and Red Lobster were also closed for the day due to the incident.

All roadways have since been reopen after the 10 plus hour closure.

Law enforcement personnel with the Missouri State Highway Patrol, Buchanan County Sheriff’s Department, St. Joseph Police Department, ATF, Bomb Squad and Special Response team responded to the situation.  Robots could be seen on top of the motel.