Eagan Man Charged After Threats, Baseball Bat Incident Led to Hours-Long Police Standoff and Shelter-in-Place
Published: June 23, 2026.
EAGAN, MN: The following is an update on the shelter-in-place and SWAT incident at the Eagan Garden Apartments on June 15, 2026, which we originally reported. An Eagan man is now facing felony charges after authorities say he threatened a neighbor and her children, wielded a metal baseball bat in an apartment hallway, and later barricaded himself inside his apartment, which then resulted in the several-hour standoff that prompted a shelter-in-place order for residents near the Eagan Gardens Apartments.
According to a criminal complaint filed in Dakota County District Court, 55-year-old Kory Thomas Kwakenat has been charged with two counts of felony Threats of Violence (Intent to Terrorize) following the June 15 incident at the Eagan Gardens Apartments in the 4100 block of Rahn Road.
Location of incident in Eagan, Minnesota.
Shelter-in-Place Issued During Police Standoff
According to residents of a neighboring apartment complex, the incident began around 8 a.m. on Monday, June 15, when police and emergency personnel started responding to the area.
At approximately 9:50 a.m., the Eagan Police Department issued a shelter-in-place order for residents near the Eagan Gardens Apartments due to ongoing police and fire activity. Authorities also closed portions of Rahn Road near the apartment complex as officers worked to contain the situation.
The shelter-in-place remained in effect for more than two hours while officers negotiated with a barricaded individual inside an apartment unit.
At approximately 12:15 p.m., Eagan police announced the incident had been resolved peacefully and lifted the shelter-in-place order.
"The scene has been resolved safely. This was an isolated incident, and there is no ongoing threat to the greater community," Eagan Police said in a statement released following the incident.
"Thank you for your patience while our officers worked to bring this to a safe outcome for everyone involved. We're grateful to serve this community."
At the time, officials released few details about what had led to the large police response. Newly filed court documents now provide additional insight into the events that unfolded that morning.
Neighbor Reported Threats and Racial Slurs
According to the criminal complaint, officers were dispatched to the apartment complex at approximately 7:57 a.m. after receiving a report that Kwakenat was in the hallway outside a neighbor's apartment, banging on her door while swinging a baseball bat.
The victim told police that Kwakenat had been yelling racial slurs and making threats. When officers arrived, they learned he had returned to his apartment.
A second victim later told officers that she had just returned home from work when her sons informed her that Kwakenat had been yelling racial slurs at them. She then encountered him in the hallway, where he allegedly approached her while swinging a metal baseball bat and shouting.
According to court records, Kwakenat allegedly told the woman, "I'm gonna shoot your kids."
Fearing for her safety and the safety of her children, she called 911.
Threats Directed Toward Officers
When officers attempted to contact Kwakenat at his apartment door, authorities say he refused to come out and instead began yelling insults and profanities.
According to the complaint, he repeatedly ignored commands to exit the apartment and at one point threatened officers, stating he would "take this baseball bat and run it up your ass."
Officers reported hearing loud banging noises as Kwakenat repeatedly struck his apartment door with significant force while police remained outside.
Court documents state that he continued yelling at officers throughout the standoff and at one point asked police to shoot him.
Witness Corroborated Threats
Investigators later interviewed another resident who reported hearing disturbances in the hallway and observing Kwakenat yelling racial slurs and insults.
The witness told police they heard him making comments about hurting the victim's children and obtaining a gun.
When the witness looked into the hallway, they reportedly saw Kwakenat holding a metal baseball bat. The witness told investigators they were frightened because he was discussing using a firearm.
Search Warrant and Tactical Response
As the standoff continued, investigators obtained a search warrant for the apartment.
According to the complaint, officers spent several hours attempting to communicate with Kwakenat, but he remained uncooperative and refused to surrender.
The standoff lasted until approximately noon, when officers deployed chemical agents through an exterior window to force him from the residence.
Kwakenat was then taken into custody without further incident.
Baseball Bat and Replica Firearms Recovered
After securing the apartment, officers executed the search warrant and discovered a black baseball bat on the kitchen counter.
Investigators also located two replica firearms inside a bedroom.
According to court records, no actual firearms were recovered from the residence.
Defendant Admitted Making Threats
After being advised of his Miranda rights, Kwakenat agreed to speak with investigators. He admitted becoming upset with people making noise in the hallway and said he went to confront them.
While he acknowledged carrying the baseball bat, he claimed he was using it as a cane. According to the complaint, Kwakenat also admitted threatening officers during the standoff, telling investigators that although he had threatened to come after officers with the bat, it was simply because he had "a big mouth."
He also acknowledged that he may have struck walls or doors with the bat during the incident but denied intending to threaten anyone.
Bail Set and Prior Pending Case Revealed
During a June 17 court appearance, prosecutors requested that bail be set at $50,000 without conditions or $35,000 with conditions. The judge ultimately set bail at $50,000 without conditions and $20,000 with conditions. He had not posted bail and remains in custody at the Dakota County Jail.
Court documents also reveal that Kwakenat has a pending disorderly conduct case from May 2026. Prosecutors noted that he failed to appear for an arraignment hearing on June 11 and was arrested by Eagan police on June 12. Additionally, investigators reported locating numerous prescription medications inside the apartment during the search, including methadone and ketamine, as well as medical marijuana. Officers also found a recycling bag reportedly filled with empty alcoholic beverage containers.
Kwakenat remains charged with two felony counts of Threats of Violence. The charges are allegations, and he is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty in court.
Pictured: Kory Thomas Kwakenat. Provided by the Dakota County Jail.
Written by: Will Wight
