Investigators said they recovered 10 guns, body armor, suppressor parts and hundreds of rounds of ammunition.
MILWAUKEE, Wis. — Investigators say they recovered 10 guns, body armor, suppressor parts and about 800 rounds of ammunition after a Milwaukee man allegedly threatened his parents and held police in a 14-hour standoff.
The search of the home near 68th Street and West Brentwood Avenue became a key part of the case against Vance Lee, 33. Prosecutors charged him April 2 with 16 counts, including 10 counts of possession of a firearm by an out-of-state felon. Court records cited by investigators say Lee has a prior felony burglary conviction in California, which barred him from possessing firearms.
The weapons list described by police included one shotgun, four rifles and five handguns. Investigators also said they found about 27 magazines, five suppressors or suppressor parts and body armor. Those items were recovered after Lee surrendered around 10:19 p.m. March 28, ending a standoff that had drawn SWAT officers, crisis negotiators and armored vehicles to the residential area. Police said no public account reviewed in the case identified injuries from the standoff.
Prosecutors said the armed barricade began after Lee’s parents reported threats from inside the home. According to the complaint, Lee came downstairs with a handgun in his waistband and a rifle, then threatened to shoot and kill them. He later called his brother and said, “We are all dying today,” police said. His parents told investigators they stayed in their bedroom out of fear and believed he would shoot them if they left.
The parents also told officers Lee said he would kill everyone and hide in the basement ready for police. Investigators said the parents appeared fearful and nervous during interviews. They told officers they loved their son but could not continue to handle his threats. A search warrant said the dispute began when family members accused Lee of stealing pots and pans from the kitchen. Authorities have not said whether any other family members were inside when police arrived.
Police were dispatched about 8:44 a.m. March 28 and ordered Lee to exit the residence. Investigators said he refused, barricaded the home and ignored commands. During the standoff, officers sent a drone into the residence. Prosecutors said Lee fired a shotgun from the second floor and disabled the drone. Officers later deployed gas, and Lee surrendered after nearly 14 hours. Police said Lee later admitted drinking, smoking meth for two days, barricading the home and firing a shotgun inside.
The charges beyond the felon-in-possession counts include failure to comply with an officer’s attempt to take a person into custody, disorderly conduct with use of a dangerous weapon, endangering safety by use of a dangerous weapon, criminal damage to property with use of a dangerous weapon and two counts of possession of a firearm silencer. Prosecutors said Lee could face more than 140 years in prison and more than $350,000 in fines if convicted on all counts.
Vance Lee’s bond was set at $50,000 on April 2. The court ordered him not to possess guns, dangerous weapons or body armor and required drug testing. A preliminary hearing was listed for April 7 as the felony case moved into its next stage.
Author note: Last updated Monday, April 27, 2026.