A man who had been holding a gun to his head at an Inver Grove Heights gas station Tuesday evening surrendered after an hour to authorities without injury.

The 38-year-old St. Paul man had posted photos of himself with a gun and made threats to harm himself, prompting Inver Grove Heights police to close Concord Boulevard during rush hour, authorities said.

Police arrived at the SuperAmerica gas station 7501 Concord Boulevard at 4:30 p.m. where the man had been inside his vehicle. He fired a round from the gun, according to a news release. No one was injured.

At one point, the man left his vehicle and held a gun to his head and asked officers to shoot him.

Officers kept customers inside the gas station store while authorities talked the man into surrendering.

The Dakota County Multi-Agency Assistance Group and crisis negotiators were called to the scene and engaged the man as he sat inside his vehicle.

He was arrested at 5:30 p.m. and transported to Regions Hospital for evaluation.

"This incident exemplifies the reason that law enforcement agencies are investing in mental health crisis response training," Inver Grove Heights Police Chief Paul Schnell said in a statement. "The response of our officers and partner agencies reflects the need to take all necessary steps to maintain the safety of the public, officers and the person experiencing crisis."

Karen Zamora • 612-673-4647

Twitter: @KarenAnelZamora