UTICA, N.Y. — A 21-year-old Utica man faces multiple charges following a tense 13-hour standoff with police that began with a noise complaint and escalated into a menacing incident involving what appeared to be a firearm.
Michael Fratangelo of Utica was taken into custody around 7:30 a.m. on Thursday, April 17, after barricading himself in his West Street apartment overnight, according to the Utica Police Department.
The incident began around 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday when officers responded to 1013 West Street after receiving a complaint from a resident. The victim told police they had visited Fratangelo’s apartment to ask him to lower his music.
“Upon exiting the apartment, the tenant allegedly shouted racial slurs at the victim and then went back inside,” UPD officials stated in a release. The situation quickly escalated when Fratangelo reportedly emerged from his apartment “holding what appeared to be a long gun across his chest and turned toward the victim.”
Fearing for their safety, the victim fled the area and called 911.
When patrol units arrived, they surrounded the apartment and attempted to communicate with Fratangelo, who “refused to speak or acknowledge the presence of the officers, but did walk in front of an exterior window, still holding the weapon,” according to police.
As the standoff continued, authorities called in METRO SWAT for assistance. Despite repeated negotiation attempts, Fratangelo remained uncooperative, prompting officials to deploy tear gas “and other less lethal options in an effort to coax the individual out.”
“These methods were initially unsuccessful, leading to renewed verbal negotiations,” said Lieutenant Michael Curley of the Utica Police Department. “The safety of everyone involved, including the suspect, was our primary concern throughout this operation.”
Throughout the night, the Oneida County Sheriff’s Office provided drone operators to help UPD maintain “near-constant surveillance of the individual’s movements within the apartment,” ensuring safety precautions for both officers and civilians.
After obtaining a search warrant early Thursday morning, authorities discovered two BB guns inside the apartment. Fratangelo was transported to Wynn Hospital for evaluation, which is standard procedure following the use of less lethal tactics.
Upon his release from the hospital, Fratangelo will be charged with menacing and criminal possession of a weapon from a previous conviction.
This incident marks the latest in a series of menacing cases in Utica in recent months. In March, police arrested 42-year-old Somxay Sysamouth after he allegedly threatened multiple people with a meat-cleaver-style knife on Schuyler Street. In December 2024, 38-year-old Christopher Feralo was charged with menacing following a road rage incident where he allegedly threatened victims with a large knife.
Community members with information about this or other incidents are encouraged to contact the Utica Police Department at their non-emergency number.
