Sean C. Morgan
An investigation is ongoing into an incident in which a 32-year-old man
was apprehended Friday, Jan. 26, after police said he threatened suicide
in the parking lot outside the Jim Riggs Community Center.
According to Police Chief Jeff Lynn, at approximately 11:32 a.m. Friday,
Sweet Home police received a report that a man was threatening to shoot
himself. Police officers responded, and “we secured the interior of the
building,” Lynn said.
An officer was stationed inside the building as both the Senior Center and
Boys and Girls Club went into in lockdown status, and occupants inside the
building were moved to a safe location, Lynn said. Another officer located
the man among the buses on the west edge of the parking lot.
As the officer approached the male, he pulled out a revolver, Lynn said.
“Officers negotiated with the man from a position of cover. The officers
were able to convince the male to put the handgun on the ground,” the
chief said.
An officer remained inside the Boys and Girls Club while it followed its
own protocols, Lynn said.
“It went fairly quickly,” Lynn said. Within 3½ to 4 minutes, officers were
on the scene and secured the man.
The man was taken to Samaritan Lebanon Community Hospital on a police
officer hold for mental evaluation, Lynn said. The evaluation determined
that the male was suicidal, and he remained at the hospital as it sought a
permanent bed with the state mental hospital.
The male is originally from out of state, Lynn said, and this was the
first contact with him by Sweet Home police.
He was not charged in connection to the incident, Lynn said. Criminal
charges may be pending, particularly if the man attempts to leave the
mental facility.
The New Era does not report the names of those who are taken into custody
on police officer holds for mental evaluation unless they are connected to
criminal charges. If the male is charged, The New Era will report the
male’s name and charges.
At no time did he contact the building or attempt to go inside, Lynn said.
In responding to the report, obviously, the primary concern was for the
people inside the building.
Once he was detained, police conducted another full sweep of the building
and the grounds, Lynn said. The building remained in lockdown until 12:11
p.m.
It was a unique experience for his officers, Lynn said. “They officers
handled it extremely professionally.”
They’re skilled at negotiation, he said. “It’s just a testament to the
officers. I’m very proud of how the officers handled it.”
The incident remains under investigation, Lynn said. Anyone with
information related to the incident is asked to call the Sweet Home Police
Department at (541) 367-5181.