It was on e of the strangest standoffs ever! Police, firefighters, and a big crowd...all surrounding a man toting a long sword. This drama played-out in the heart of downtown Seattle for nearly ten hours Thursday. The man had stood on the Seattle street holding a sword and shouting various things all throughout the day. He was finally apprehended late in the evening while he was napping on the sidewalk. Police and firemen first gassed the man, then drenched him in water, holding him at bay with a ladder. He was taken to a nearby hospital where he is said to be in satisfactory condition. Officer harv Ferguson said there were no negotiations with the man, and several methods used to make him uncomfortable, like highpowered vans to make him cold, were unsuccessful. Police also said they understand that the lengthy standoff was an inconvenience for the local business, but they wanted to settle the matter without injury.__END__

Aerial Seattle; Shot on ARRIRAW

A man holding a sword has kept dozens of police at bay in downtown Seattle, Washington since 11:30 this morning. It began when a woman called police saying she had been threatened by the man. A SWAT team was called in and police have fired such weapons as bean bags and rubber bullets to try to get him to drop his sword. Up to this point, officers managed to keep the man contained... but have made no arrest. Hundreds of people gathered to watch the scene. The standoff began at First and Pike Streets at the entrance to a popular market. Also several busy downtown blocks were closed and city buses were used as barriers.

Seattle - July 2013: Aerial close up sun flare view at sunset Seattle Space Needle Elliot Bay, Puget Sound, Washington State, Pacific Northwest, USA, RED EPIC

NOTE: THERE ARE 2 OTHER SAMURAI SWORD MAN PIECES THAT GO ALONG WITH THIS STORY.

Downtown Seattle, Across the Puget Sound

The Space Needle overlooks a harbor in Seattle, Washington.

Aerial Seattle; Shot on ARRIRAW

skyline of Seattle, view from Alki Beach.

Early evening aerial Seattle; Space Needle visible at times; Shot on 35mm

Seattle, Washington - November 2011: Zoomed view looking at the top of the Space Needle with vignette.

Aerial view of the Kirkland along Lake Washington with kitesurfer and windsurfer.

Seattle - July 2013: Aerial sun flare view Space Needle Observation Tower Seattle residential suburbs Puget Sound, Washington, Pacific Northwest, USA

Float plane flying away from Lake Union

South Lake Union, Seattle timelapse

plane off Seattle South Lake Union

Downtown Seattle, Across the Puget Sound

Aerial Seattle; Shot on ARRIRAW

Downtown Seattle, Across the Puget Sound

skyline of Seattle, time lapse.

aerial view skyline of Seattle.