Columbia Police Department officers responded to southbound I-255 near Weber Chevrolet at about 8 a.m. Friday to investigate a report of a male throwing rocks at passing cars.

“Officers arrived and found the suspect out of our city limits under the Davis Street Ferry overpass and requested a Dupo (Police Department) unit respond,” said Columbia Police Chief Joe Edwards. “Upon arrival of a Dupo officer the suspect became irate and started yelling at the officers and then started a fire on the side of the interstate. The Illinois State Police was also dispatched to assist. Upon arrival of the state unit the suspect told officers that he had a gun. The suspect then began running into traffic so the officers partially shut down some of Interstate 255 and took the suspect into custody. The suspect was transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.”

According to statements by the Illinois State Police, two vehicles sustained minor damage from rocks but no one was injured.

The incident was completely cleared from the highway by 9 a.m.