Scottsdale father shot in standoff critical

A Scottsdale man with a history of mental health issues who was shot by police in front of his parents' northside home Friday after he threatened to "pile-drive" his 3-year-old daughter to the ground, was in critical condition Saturday and faces felony endangerment charges.

Police: Officers shoot man who threatened child

Although it initially appeared the girl did not have any physical injuries after Brian Hulstedt, 37, lowered her to the ground when he was shot in front of his parents' home, the girl had suffered a head injury while being held inside the house, police said.

Police shot Hulstedt in the torso twice in front of the house where he lives with his parents in the 6800 block of East Morning Vista Lane in the Carriage Trails neighborhood near 96th Street and Dixileta Drive after a 90-minute standoff.

He was shot after he exited the home with the child lifted over his head.

The girl, who was taken to Phoenix Children's Hospital, seemed restless for an unknown reason.

During the investigation, police said officers discovered blood inside the home which indicated the child was injured in some manner while her father held her inside.

The condition of the child was not immediately available.

Hulstedt was flown by helicopter to Scottsdale Healthcare Osborn hospital where he remains in critical condition, according to a hospital spokeswoman.

Police responded to the scene after receiving what they called a "strange" 911 call at 12:15 p.m. Friday from an "incoherent and irrational" man who was asking for the government. Hulstedt's father got on the phone line and told police that their son was acting irrationally and said that earlier in the day he had threatened to drop the child from a window.

When police arrived at the home, Hulstedt's parents were standing in front of the house. Hulstedt initially came out of the residence holding the girl but ran back inside where police could hear the child crying. After police established contact with Hulstedt through his parents and brother, he told police he would harm the girl if his demands were not met.

Two officers fired at Hulstedt four times in the upscale neighborhood and missed twice, according to the sounds of gunshots heard on cell phone video of the incident a neighbor provided to the media.

Hulstedt's wife was not home at the time and no other children were inside the house, police said.

Hulstedt's parents could not be reached for comment.

The officers have been placed on paid administrative leave as the incident is being investigated, which is procedural, police said.