Two residents were held at gunpoint and tied up by several suspects at their apartment Monday night.

According to a Madison Police Department statement, three suspects carried a handgun and demanded items from the victims at their apartment at 200 Langdon St. One suspect is identified as a male between 18 and 20 years old, while the other is a male in his early 20s.

The victims said they were tied up by the suspects but untied themselves once the suspects left the residence and then called the police from their neighbor’s apartment, the statement said. It said the victims were not injured and police do not think anything was taken from the residence.

Ald. Mike Verveer, District 4, said armed home invasions are rare, and there has only been one other such event this semester downtown on East Gilman Street.

Verveer said typically home invasions are targeted to a specific residence rather than a random act of violence. He said regardless of its accuracy, there is a belief drugs and/or money is usually available at the targeted residence.

“I would be very surprised if the police don’t conclude this is a targeted crime,” Verveer said.

Even though the victims in this incident called the police, Verveer said most armed home invasions go unreported because drugs are often present in the home and the victims do not want the police to get involved.

He added the victims are not necessarily involved in drugs and could also have gotten caught in a mistake of identity.

Verveer said either way, it is an unfortunate incident. 

Ald. Bridget Maniaci, District 2, agreed.

“It’s an unfortunate event and I’m glad that no one was hurt, but clearly cases of violence like this are not acceptable,” Maniaci said.

The investigation is ongoing, according to the statement.