Man in standoff found with apparent self-inflicted bullet wound in head

DENVER – Police say the victim found after a 10-hour standoff had what appears to be a self-inflicted gunshot wound in his head.
MICHAEL ANDRE: A PERSONAL PERSPECTIVE

Denver Police have not yet confirmed the identity of the man, pending a review by the Coroner’s office.

However, family members at the scene say the body was that of 38-year-old Michael Andre, the attorney most recently known as the criminal defense attorney for known gang member Willie Clark.

Clark, who is currently in a probation facility in Colorado Springs, has been questioned in the murder case of Denver Broncos’ cornerback Darrent Williams on New Year’s Day.

Police say it appears the victim fired the shot which struck him in the head with a handgun, and the official cause of death will be determined following an autopsy. Police say there were no other injuries attributed to the incident.

Officers tried to negotiate with the man at his home at 258 S. Monroe St. and last heard from him around 3 p.m., police spokesman John White said. Police say they released tear gas and other diversionary devices into the home prior to entering.

"This is not the outcome we had hoped for," White said.

Few details were released, but officers said they had received a report at about 9 a.m. that someone in the home may have threatened suicide.

They said a woman had gone into the house, and a man inside had pointed a weapon at her. She left and called police, prompting the standoff.

Friends said the woman was a maid. Police did not comment on the woman's identity.

A SWAT team and negotiators had been sent to the scene.

Friend Andre Walker said Andre had marital issues. Jon Thomerson, an investigator who worked with Andre, said his colleague had been stressed.

"He was showing a lot of signs of stress," Thomerson said. "That's kind of par for the course for him. He has a very stressful job."

Thomerson said Andre had invited him to attend a fashion event Thursday night, but Thomerson couldn't attend.

"His demeanor was not out of character for him," he said.

Traffic in the area was reopened, and residents were allowed to reenter their homes.

The home is located between Alameda and Cedar on Monroe Street in Denver. It is not clear yet what prompted this situation.