Armed suicidal man taken into custody following police standoff.

Armed suicidal man taken into custody following police standoff.

‘The man opened the door and tossed a live rifle round out onto the ground.’

HART — An armed suicidal man who was in a lengthy standoff with police Friday night, Aug. 20, was safely taken into custody and transported to the hospital for a mental health evaluation.

No one was injured, including the 25-year-old Hart man who “expressed to family of wanting to commit suicide by shooting himself with a rifle,” said Hart Police Chief Juan Salazar.  

“The Hart Police Department was dispatched (at 8:17 p.m.) to the 300 block of East Main Street referencing an armed suicidal subject,” said Chief Salazar. 

“Officers arrived on scene, in an attempt to contact the man. As the officers were leaving the front main entry door of the apartment, the man opened the door and tossed a live rifle round out onto the ground. Officers on scene immediately distanced themselves and set a perimeter around the area.” The vicinity of East Main Street, which is in the downtown area of Hart, was closed off to the public, according to dispatch information.

“During the investigation, the man did exit the rear of the apartment and was noted to have a rifle in his possession. The man was noted to either rack a round into or out of the rifle. The man then returned into his apartment,” said the chief.

“After some time, and with assistance from the man’s family and friends, the man exited the home. The man was taken into protective custody and was transported to Mercy Hospital in Muskegon for a mental health evaluation.” 

The Hart Police Department was assisted by the Oceana County Sheriff’s Office, Michigan State Police, Hart Area Fire Department and LIFE EMS.  

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