Shortly after 7:30 am On Tuesday 6/22/2021
The San Jacinto County Sheriff's Office Communications Division received a 9-1-1 call requesting Law Enforcement assistance near the 200 block of Rayburn in Cleveland. Dispatchers were informed a 39 year old male, was in the front yard armed with a long rifle threating to hurt himself.
As Sheriff Deputies and Troopers from the Texas Department of Public Safety arrived, the man’s girlfriend reported the man said he was tired of living and threatened to hurt himself in what Deputies recognized as an attempted “suicide by cop.” Deputies made contact with the man on the telephone while maintaining eyesight on the man who was pacing back and forth armed with the rifle.
While on the telephone, the man was “making statements he wanted to harm himself” or “commit suicide by cop” while claiming he was suffering from depression as well as other mental health issues to include anxiety and bipolar. A negotiating Deputy maintained communication with the man while members of the Sheriff’s Office devised a plan to safely end the standoff.
After approximately three hours, the man who is not being named at this time was safely taken into custody with minimal amount of force used after being surrounded by authorities. The man was transported to a nearby local hospital for a mental health evaluation.
Sheriff Greg Capers commends the responding Deputies and Troopers for their actions noting that “suicide by cop” acknowledged early as the incident unfolded and they relied on their training and experience in getting the man the mental health support he needs.”
This case is still under investigation and charges could be pending.
If you or someone you know needs help, you can call the National Suicide Prevention lifeline at 1-800-273-8255.
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Press Release from SJC- ( Sheriff Greg Capers )
200 Block Rayburn Lane Cleveland TX - SAN JACINTO COUNTY
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