Chicago Resident Mario Santoyo Arrested for Knife Possession After Prolonged Standoff at Dirksen Federal Building, Officials Report

CHICAGO (WLS) — A man is now facing a felony charge for allegedly wielding a knife during a standoff at a Chicago federal building, federal officials said.

A standoff at the Dirksen Federal Building downtown ended after roughly nine hours Tuesday night.

Just before 8 p.m., federal agents were seen rushing toward the man who had been standing in the building’s lobby since about 11 a.m., with a knife.

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The man was on the ground surrounded before being put on a stretcher.

He has now been identified as 38-year-old Mario Santoyo of Chicago. The suspect has been charged with felony “possession of a dangerous weapon in a federal facility with intent to use the weapon in the commission of a crime,” the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced.

READ MORE | Process of protection behind safe outcome of hours-long standoff at Dirksen Federal Building

Santoyo allegedly entered the building and “asked to speak with the FBI about ‘gangsters’ or ‘gangbangers’ who were trying to kill him,” according to a news release.

“The defendant created a dangerous situation for himself, law enforcement, and the thousands of federal employees and members of the public inside the Dirksen Building,” U.S. Marshal LaDon A. Reynolds said in a statement. “The standoff in this case was peacefully resolved thanks to the courage and professionalism of the law enforcement officers from the U.S. Marshals Service and FBI. I am deeply appreciative of this U.S. Attorney’s strong partnership with the U.S. Marshals Service and for his strong leadership in choosing to bring a felony charge to hold the defendant accountable for his intolerable actions.”

Santoyo is being held in custody pending his trial.