Man faces 27 counts in Woodbury Motel standoff

Motel standoff
A Woodbury police vehicle sits outside the Red Roof Inn in Woodbury, Minn. on Friday, Aug. 31, 2012. Authorities say a man who died following a disturbance at the Woodbury motel was shot by police.
MPR Photo/Sasha Aslanian

Authorities say a Stillwater man who held several people hostage at a motel faces 27 charges, including attempted murder and sexual assault.

Demetrius Santreell Ballinger, 25, was charged Tuesday in Washington County.

The criminal complaint says Ballinger, five other adults and six juveniles were in a room at the Red Roof Inn in Woodbury early Friday. Police say he pulled out a gun and ordered them to give him their money and cellphones.

Ballinger is also accused of sexually assaulting four underage girls before surrendering.

Police fatally shot 19-year-old Mark Henderson when he fled the room. Police said they believed he was armed; he was not. The complaint says Ballinger shot at Henderson as he tried to leave.

Court records did not show an attorney for Ballinger.

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