WOODBURY, Minn. (KMSP) -
The 911 transcripts from Washington County Dispatch are giving a glimpse inside the hostage situation that turned deadly at the Red Roof Inn in Woodbury last month.
Demitrius Ballinger, 25, has been charged with one count of second-degree attempted murder, four counts of first-degree sexual assault, 11 counts of first-degree aggravated robbery and 11 counts of second-degree assault in connection with the four-hour standoff.
One hostage was shot and killed by police as he fled the room on the Red Roof Inn on Wooddale Drive. Officials identified him as Eric Henderson, 19, and said he was unarmed at the time but did not comply with officers' orders to drop.
Investigators say the standoff began at about 1:10 a.m. on Aug. 31.
Woodbury police responded to a 911 call and found a disturbance in one of the motel rooms. Police said 12 people were in the room -- Ballinger and 11 others he was holding at gunpoint. Those people ranged in age from 15 to 19.
According to the charges, Ballinger became frustrated about something while at a party and threatened to shoot everyone, ordering them to "empty out your pockets, give me your money and your cell phones!"
The call that brought police to the motel was made by a girl in the room who dialed 911 before putting her phone on the floor. The following three calls to 911 were from Ballinger himself, who called himself Lucifer.
Ballinger remains jailed on $1 million bond after entering an automatic not guilty plea by remaining silent during his first court appearance. Earlier this week, he waived his right to a speedy trial.
