Suicidal Man at Center of Bridge Standoff on Probation for Sex Offense

The man at the center of a lengthy standoff on the Interstate 35E bridge on Tuesday afternoon is a St. Paul resident on probation for first-degree criminal sexual conduct.

Eagan police identified Oudone Xiong, 37, as the man who surrendered to police shortly after 8:30 p.m. on Tuesday, following a five-hour standoff that involved dozens of police officers. The standoff, which began when Xiong allegedly threatened to jump from the bridge, all but shut down northbound traffic throughout the afternoon and evening.

The incident began on Tuesday when Xiong allegedly told his probation officer that he was experiencing suicidal feelings, according to a press release issued by the Eagan Police Department. His probation officer issued a health and welfare check on Xiong, and Eagan officers located Xiong in a vehicle parked behind a business near the intersection of Krestwood and Duckwood Drive in Eagan.

Before officers could speak with Xiong, police say he drove away, at which point officers began following him. With police in pursuit, Xiong reached Interstate 35E. Once on the interstate, Xiong increased his speed, eventually reaches 90 mph, police said. The pursuit stopped suddenly when Xiong reached the bridge.

At that point, Xiong left his vehicle, scaled a railing and stood on the edge of the bridge, police say. Police began negotiations with Xiong, which ended that evening when negotiators convinced Xiong to be evaluated at Regions Hospital.

Eagan police were assisted by seven separate agencies, including the St. Paul Police Department, Dakota County Sheriff's Department and Mendota Heights police and fire units, among other agencies.

Xiong is currently being held at the Ramsey County Law Enforcement Center, and will likely be charged with fleeing a police officer in a motor vehicle, the press release said.