Humboldt Co. Sheriff’s Press Release:

On 04-05-12, approximately 7:30 p.m. the Humboldt County Sheriffs Office was notified of a man brandishing a handgun in the 3600 block of Pennsylvania Avenue, Eureka. When deputies arrived they located a 66 year old male with handgun in his hand standing in the front yard of the residence where he resided. The man was speaking with a family member on the telephone when law enforcement arrived.

The initial deputy arriving on scene made verbal contact with the man who immediately pointed the gun at his own chest while making several suicidal statements to the deputy. While the initial deputy spoke with the male, he would raise and lower the firearm to his chest, telling the deputy he wanted to die. Additional deputies, the California Highway Patrol, City Ambulance, fire personnel, mental health crisis personnel and Sheriff’s Office Hostage Negotiators were called to the scene. A hostage negotiator spoke with the male for approximately 45 minutes requesting he put the firearm down. The male put the firearm down at approximately 8:30 p.m. and was transported for a mental health evaluation. No charges are being sought. No one was injured.

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